Republic Act 1425: also known as Rizal law, mandated a study of Jose Rizal’s Life and his major literary works.

• Proposed by: Sen. Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel

  • Jose P Laurel: filed the Senate Bill 438

    • Senate Bill 438: compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels in all colleges and universities. It must promulgated in all educational institution.

• Approved by: Pres. Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956

  • Memorandum Order No. 247: directed CHED and DEPED to fully implement the law.

• Opposed by : the Catholic church and a group of senators ( Sen. Decoroso Rosales, Francisco Rodrigo, and Mariano Cuenco)

• Jacobo Gonzales: implement House bill 556 which is similar to laurel’s senate bill 438.

• Senator Princimias: amended the bill and suggested the worn statement of exemption from reading Rizal’s wirtings.

• Rizal law mandates that all academic institutions, private or public, include the life and works of Rizal in their curricula, regardless of the academic program. Including his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

• Unexpurgated versions of the novels and Rizal’s works must be taught in school. This became a challenge for the catholic school because of the novel’s attack on the men of cloth.

• Adequate copies of Noli, the Fili, and his other works must be present in school libraries and translated into English, Filipino, and the mother tongue.

• Section 1: Courses on the life, works, and writings of Rizal shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and universities, public or private. Provided that, the original or unexpurgated editions of noli and fili shall be used as reference.

  • NBE needs to implement rules within 60 days of effectivity of the law and Rules for exemption of students and implementation of the rules after 30 days of publication.

• Section 2: the libraries must have an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of noli and el fili, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. Other works of Rizal must be listed on the approved books for required reading in all schools, colleges, and universities.

• Section 3: the board of national education must translate Noli, el fili, and other writings of Rizal into english, tagalog, and the principal philippine dialects; printed copies must be distributed and free of charge.

• Section 4: this act do no prohibit the discussion of religoin doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

• Section 5: 300,000 pesos was authorized by the National Treasury to carry out this act.

• Section 6: Take effect upon approval, June 12, 1956

Importance of Rizal Law\

• Current problems

• identity

• nationalism

• life lessons

• critical thinking

• inspiration

• entertainment

Dec 30: day of national mourning in honour of Rizal and other victims of the PH Revolution.

• Republic act 229: no cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai every 30th of December.

Executive Order No 52- construction of National Cultural Shrine and other memorials dedicated to Rizal.

Executive Order No. 429: created Rizal Pro Patria Award to perpetuate Rizal’s memory