CASTILLO, Jotham Elijah September 4, 2020

DUNGOG, Justin Lemuel GE-LWR

YBAÑEZ, Ray Orville 10:30 – 12:00 (TTH)

Republic Act 1425 (Rizal Law)

1.
Contrary to the clause identified in the law, the primary argument when this law was still
undergoing the process of finality was the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church. Evident in
Rizal’s works were the abuse and the maltreatment of the Roman Catholic Church during his
time and according to the opposition, the then-bill (Rizal Law) was aimed to be an “attack” on
them. It is important to study the life and works of Rizal for he and his works were the reason
why we are independent and the ideals based on its works serve as an important lesson for us to
emulate as a Filipino.
2.
In the opening statement of the Senate Bill 438, it was only focused on the two famous
novels of Rizal named, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which contained points that
would humiliate the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Whereas in RA 1425, it didn’t only focus on
his two famous novels but also his life and works which made it more reasonable to be included
in the curriculum. The former was clearly the inflammatory statement for that bill was opposed
by many for it focused on such controversial novels that served a clear purpose, which was to
relay the wrongdoings of the Church during Rizal’s time.
3.
They both insisted on reading Jose Rizal's work because Rizal's work was full of ideas
and hope for our nation. They wanted Filipino's to read since it was made for our fellow
Filipino's to understand more about ourselves and to know more about why and who is our
country worth dying for and for Filipino's to have a better sense of patriotism to our beloved
country. It is also intended for the future youths of our nation since Jose Rizal strongly believed
that "Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan." But since our country is heavily catholic some
of the senate and church opposed of it since as they said " the two novels had views that were
inimical to their faith" and an alleged letter also branded Rizal's work as "heretical" and
"impious" which added more fuel to the fire. The novel of Rizal showed much criticism about
the church which is why they opposed it.
4.
The conditions which Laurel and Recto experienced during the 1950’s was that the youth
even though they were demanding change, never experienced the time of Rizal. They were the
generation after the Spanish era, children of the the American and Japanese empires. This
inspired them to enable the youth to read the novels of Rizal in their entirety, with the hopes of
the children interpreting present and future crises through the lenses of Rizal’s life and thought.