What is the Rizal Law?

The Rizal Law, also known as RA 1425, mandates the study of Rizals life and works, as shown in
section 1. This Republic Act calls for an increased sense of nationalism from the Filipinos during a
time of a dwindling Filipino identity. According to the judicial system, a republic act is a law that has
already been passed and implemented. In contrast to this, a bill is merely a proposed law, in other
words it may or may not be passed by the Congress.
The Republic Act was signed by the President on June 12, 1956. From the notes preceding the body
of the document, one may infer that the bill was originally proposed in the Legislative arm of the
Philippine Republic, in the Senate and House of Representatives. According to the Official Gazette,
the law was made effective thirty days after its implementation. The mere fact that the Act was passed
on the date of our independence seeks to stir up a greater sense of fervor in the Filipino, to believe in
their own country and national identitywho we are as a nation. It was this time when the Philippines
was heavily dependent on the American government for support and guidance. Also, based on the
fact that Jose Rizal is honored by the Philippines as the Philippine national hero, it is but appropriate
that the document written to commemorate his accomplishments is written here, in the land of his
birth.
It is Senator Claro M. Recto who authored the Rizal Bill. While Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., who was
then the Chairman of the Committee on Education, sponsored the bill in the Senate. Both of them
were known for their great sense of nationalism. This nationalism served as the foundation to come
up with this republic act, to set our country free from the hands of others and stand up on our own
exactly the ideals and values that Rizal strove to fight for. It was written for the Filipino people,
specifically the Filipino youth, who may have lost their sense of nationalism. The writers endeavored
to rekindle a lost spark in each Filipinos belief in their country. A republic act as drastic as the Rizal
Law, which requires the study of Rizals life and workssomething that does not need to be required
in the first placecan only be born out of the fact that Rizal and his works were not given a high
priority in the educational system of the country prior to the release of this act. It is clear that the
government had to make drastic changes to resolve the issue. This is evident in section 3 of the act,
legalizing all forms of translations for Rizals works, as well as section 2, obligating all schools,
colleges and universities to keep an adequate number of copies of Rizals works. This makes them
more accessible to a greater audience.

It is hard to make out any form of emotion from any legal document; however, the choice of words is
still able to convey a fiery passion. To highlight this, they also use words or concepts that can easily
relate to the common Filipino man. Such passion is vital, as the audience is presumably of dwindling
nationalism. In this regard, the writer attempts to show the audience the identity they have slowly
been losing, and show them how they can undo this.
There are important points that the author cited in this republic act that is worth noticing. First,
Whereas, today, more than other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died. This document was written in
the year 1956 during Magsasyays regime when the country was still recovering from the Japanese
occupation and still very dependent on US governance. Ideals of freedom and nationalism were very
essential during those times since the Philippines was still struggling for independence, and the
country was still gradually developing its national identity and integrity. During those times havoc also
existed within the Filipinos since there were numerous uprisings against the Philippine government.
Moreover, even though this document was written decades ago, it is still striking because this clause
is very timely for this present generation when our culture is being overpowered by foreign influence
and Filipino diaspora is widespread.
Another important point from RA 1425 is Whereas, all educational institutions are under the
supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral
character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship. It is very
important to use our educational institutions to instill these values to the children who are at their
prime years of growing and learning. During ones educational years especially the college level is
when individuals formulate their priorities and career tracks in life, and it is essential that institutions
make students realize that the country should be a part of their priorities and serving ones country is
an innate and inborn duty for all. Also, embedding a profound and authentic moral character and a
strong sense of personal discipline in the youth would yield proficient, genuine, and selfless Filipinos
of the future who would turn the Philippines from an impoverished country to a globally competitive
nation.
Lastly, The Board of National education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal
Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and the
Barrio Councils throughout the country. To provide a specific way to carry out this act is very helpful.
It makes the goal very SMART specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. It is also

important that the effects of this act would be experienced by all students even those who are
financially troubled. It is commendable that in the context of this act, the poor is well represented and
that it is attainable regardless of ethnicity, social stature, and language barriers.
This document was obviously written during a time when patriotism and nationalism was lost and
needed, and a time when people were inspired by the initiative of the authors of this act. It was during
this time when the Philippines and its citizens relied on the United States for guidance, support and
welfare. It was written in order to seek aide from the same brilliant mind that drove the Filipinos of the
past to fight for freedom from colonists entails another need for another meaningful revolution in spite
of the absence of invaders; the country may have needed a slow-paced revolution driven by
patriotism against dormancy, apathy and futility.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience
and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated
editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as
basic texts.
The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of
appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and
enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the
exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the
requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not
from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall
take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizals other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending
upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.
SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal
Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and
Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public
school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out
of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.
Source: CDAsia