Understanding RA 1425

Who is Dr. Jose Rizal?

• JOSÉ PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO REALONDA

• A Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered a national hero of the Philippines.

What is RA 1425?

• The study of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s life, works, and writings has been mandated by Republic Act No. 1425 known as the Rizal Law enacted on June 12, 1956 and took effect on August 16, 1956. This was written by Sen. Claro M. Recto. Additionally, this was sponsored by Sen. Jose P. Laurel Sr. as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and signed by President Ramon Magsaysay.

• The Law mandates that a course on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal should be included in the curriculum in all schools, colleges, and universities especially in tertiary and graduate levels both public and private schools. It should consist of the study of Rizal’s life, works and virtues, most notably the two great novels Noli Me Tangere and El Felibusterismo.

What are the aims of RA 1425?

• Recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideas, thoughts, teachings, and life-values to present conditions in the community and the country and apply them in the solution to day-to-day situations and problems of contemporary life.

• Develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior, and character of Rizal, as well as his thoughts and ideas, and thus foster the development of moral character, personal discipline, citizenship, and vocational efficiency.

• Comply with the patriotic objectives of Rizal Law given by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel.

What is the controversy behind RA 1425?

• The bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic Religion.

• Inimical to the tenets of the faith to which 170 lines in Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El Felibusterismo were offensive to the church doctrine.

• The bill might divide the nation.

• Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impaired freedom of speech and religious freedom.

What are the arguments in favor of RA 1425?

• Nationalism and Patriotism: Supporters argued that the study of Rizal’s life and works would instill a sense of nationalism and pride in the Filipino people. Rizal was seen as a symbol of resistance against colonial oppression, and his writings were viewed as promoting Filipino identity and unity.

• Moral and Ethical Values: Proponents believed that Rizal’s works, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, emphasized moral integrity, social justice, and the importance of standing up for the oppressed. These values were considered important for the formation of a virtuous society.

• Historical Education: For many supporters, RA 1425 was a way to teach Filipino students about their history and heritage. Rizal, as a national hero, represented the struggle for freedom and justice, making him an essential figure in understanding the country’s past.

• Reaffirmation of Filipino Identity: After the trauma of colonial rule under Spain and later under American influence, supporters felt that a focus on Rizal would help Filipinos reassert their own identity and break free from the lingering effects of colonialism.

What are the arguments against RA 1425?

• Religious Opposition: One of the most vocal groups against the law were Catholic groups. They opposed Rizal’s works because of his criticism of the Catholic Church. In Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal criticized the Church’s role in social and political life, particularly its involvement in colonial oppression. Some Catholic leaders feared that teaching these works in schools would undermine the moral authority of the Church.

• Ideological Differences: Some opponents, particularly conservatives and those who were still aligned with the American influence, feared that the law promoted a kind of Filipino nationalism that might be too radical. They worried that Rizal’s anti-colonial and reformist ideas might inspire future movements of dissent, which could destabilize the newly-independent Philippines.

• Secularism vs. Religion: Some also saw the law as a push towards secularism and a challenge to the influence of religion in public life. Rizal’s writings were seen as critical of religious institutions, and there was concern that forcing the study of his works would lead to the marginalization of religious education.

• Fear of Divisiveness: Another argument against the law was the fear that it would create divisions within society, particularly among those who held different political or ideological beliefs. For example, leftists and nationalists could see the law as a way of pushing a particular version of nationalism that excluded other viewpoints.