In this slide, we will explore the Rizal Law, a Philippine law that mandates the teaching of the life and works of national hero Jose Rizal. We will also examine the reasoning behind the law and the perspectives of those who disagree with it. Lastly, we will consider whether the law is still relevant in today's society. (Spoiler: The editor is not sure) --- What Exactly is Rizal Law? Rizal Law or RA 1425 is a Philippine law that requires all schools in the Philippines, both public and private, to offer courses on the life, works, and writings of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Why study him? Why Study Rizal: From The Perspective of Lawmakers Many Filipinos observed that the sense of Filipino identity was waning. Hmmmm. In response, nationalist policy-makers took action to redirect the nation back to its roots by emphasizing the importance of history as a foundation for national hope and pride. On April 3, 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto proposed Senate Bill No. 438 and submitted it to the Senate Committee on Education. “NOLI-FILI BILL” Senate Bill No. 438, titled "An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matter in All Public and Private Colleges and Universities and For other Purposes,” On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr., who was then the Chairman of the Committee on Education, sponsored the Noli-Fili Bill in the senate and presented it to the Upper House. “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people, and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect and freedom.” The Noli-Fili bill sounds good, right? NO. The Catholic Church's Opposition to the Noli-Fili Bill According to them, the bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion. Since Jose Rizal criticized the Catholic Church, the Noli-Fili bill was met with stiff opposition from the latter’s head and supporters. According to them, the bill was an attempt to discredit the Catholic religion. Father Jesus Cavanna argued that Jose Rizal’ novels from the past should not be taught in schools because they do not accurately depict current conditions and may give a false impression of the country. Here are some additional criticisms of the Catholic Church regarding the Noli-Fili Bill: Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere, only 25 passages are nationalistic while 120 passages are anti-Catholic. 170 lines from Noli Me Tangere and 50 lines in El Filibusterismo were offensive to the Catholic doctrine. The bill might divide the nation. Compulsion to read something against one’s faith impairs freedom of speech and religious freedom. Rizal admitted that he did not only attack the friars who acted deceptively on the Filipinos but also the Catholic faith itsel

1. RIZALLAW
Over the Academic Wall

3. What Exactly
is Rizal Law?

4. Rizal Law or RA 1425 is a
Philippine law that requires
all schools in the
Philippines, both public and
private, to offer courses on
the life, works, and writings
of the Philippine national
hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

5. Why study him?

6. Why Study Rizal:
From The
Perspective of
Lawmakers

7. Many Filipinos observed
that the sense of Filipino
identity was waning.

8. Hmmmm.

9. In response, nationalist
policy-makers took action
to redirect the nation
back to its roots by
emphasizing the
importance of history as a
foundation for national
hope and pride.

10. On April 3, 1956, Senator Claro M.
Recto proposed Senate Bill No. 438
and submitted it to the Senate
Committee on Education.

11. “NOLI-FILI BILL”
Senate Bill No. 438, titled "An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matter in All Public
and Private Colleges and Universities and For other Purposes,”

12. On April 17, 1956,
Senator Jose P. Laurel, Sr.,
who was then the Chairman of the
Committee on Education,
sponsored the Noli-Fili Bill in the
senate and presented it to the
Upper House.

13. “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They
must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror,
our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices.
Only then would we become conscious as a people, and so learn to
prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-
reliance, self-respect and freedom.”

14. The Noli-Fili bill sounds good, right?

15. NO.

16. The Catholic
Church's Opposition
to the Noli-Fili Bill

17. According to them, the bill was an attempt to
discredit the Catholic religion.
Since Jose Rizal criticized the Catholic Church, the Noli-Fili bill was
met with stiff opposition from the latter’s head and supporters.

18. According to them, the bill was an attempt to
discredit the Catholic religion.

19. Father Jesus Cavanna argued
that Jose Rizal’ novels from the
past should not be taught in
schools because they do not
accurately depict current
conditions and may give a false
impression of the country.

20. Here are some additional criticisms of the
Catholic Church regarding the Noli-Fili Bill:

21. Among the 333 pages of Noli Me Tangere,
only 25 passages are nationalistic while 120
passages are anti-Catholic.

22. 170 lines from Noli Me Tangere and
50 lines in El Filibusterismo were
offensive to the Catholic doctrine.

23. The bill might divide the nation.

24. Compulsion to read
something against one’s faith
impairs freedom of speech
and religious freedom.

25. Rizal admitted that he
did not only attack the
friars who acted
deceptively on the
Filipinos but also the
Catholic faith itself.

26. At that time, Noli-Fili Bill was widely
controversial.

27. These catholic groups organized opposition to
the bill:
Catholic Action of the Philippines
Congregation of the Mission
Knights of Columbus
Catholic Teachers Guild

28. The church charged Recto with being a
communist and an anti-Catholic.

29. It even comes to the point
where Catholic Schools
threaten to close down their
schools if the bill was passed.

30. Unfortunately, akin to Noli-Fili
Bill, House Bill No. 5561 had also
been opposed contending its
constitutionality and religiosity.
On April 19, 1956,
Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales
filed a similar bill called House Bill
No. 5561 to the House of
Representatives.

31. The Enactment
of “Rizal Law"

32. Senator Laurel proposed a substitute bill with
a few tweaks to appease the opposition.
Truce?

33. 1
Instead of only Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,

34. Instead of only Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
1
the new substitute bill now includes a wider
range of works and writings by Jose Rizal.

35. Reading is now optional.
If a student does not
want to read the two
novels, they can request
for an exemption.
Note: As of now, there is no record of any
student requesting for exemption, or if
such a practice was even implemented.
2

36. The implementation of reading
unexpurgated versions of Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo will
only be for college or university
students.
3

37. not censored or edited to remove
offensive or objectionable content
expurgated
un

38. to remove or censor offensive or objectionable
content, especially from a text.
expurgated

39. It’s important to read the original and unexpurgated
edition of Rizal’s novels because the true purpose of
studying these will be defeated if not followed.
expurgated
un

40. On May 12, 1956 and May 14, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 and
House Bill No. 5561 were both unanimously
approved on the second reading and in the Lower House.

41. On June 12, 1956, the bill was signed
into law by President Ramon
Magsaysay, giving birth to Republic
Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.

42. “Rizal Law”
“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."

43. Elements of
the Rizal Law

45. The rationale for passing
the Rizal Law is that there
is a concern that the
Filipino identity is waning.

46. The purpose of enacting the
Rizal Law is to educate the
young generation of the
Philippines about the ideals and
principles for which Rizal
sacrificed his life.

47. By reading and studying Rizal's
life, teachings, and writings, the
youth will gain confidence,
direction, courage and
determination to contribute to
the progress of our nation.

48. The first section of
the law concerns
mandating the
students to read
Rizal’s novels

49. The second section of
the law require the
schools to have a
sufficient number of
copies of unexpurgated
edition of the novels in
their libraries

50. The third section of the law
aims to make Rizal's
writings more readily
available to the general
public by promoting their
printing at an affordable
cost, or in some cases,
providing them for free.

51. The fourth section of the
law clarifies it will not
change a specific section
of the Administrative Code
that prohibits public school
teachers from discussing
religious doctrines.

52. The fifth section of the law
authorizes the unallocated
funds to be used to
implement the act.

53. The last section of the law
states that the act will
immediately take effect.

54. The goals of the Rizal Law can be summarized in
the following three points:

55. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals
of freedom and nationalism, for which our
heroes lived and died.

56. To pay tribute to our national hero for
devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character.

57. To gain an inspiring source of
patriotism through the study of Rizal’s
life, works, and writings.

58. Should we still study him?
But really….

59. Over the Academic Wall
"We have a national hero who wrote a lot for
a nation that does not read him."
- Ambeth Ocampo

60. Are you having trouble understanding this presentation on your own?
If so, you might find my video on this topic helpful. It covers the same material as this post, but presents it in a different way that might be
easier for you to understand. Just scan the QR Code above or Check my YouTube Channel “Over the Academic Wall.”
Video Link Channel Link