LESSON 1 Republic Act 1425

June 12, 1956

On ______, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bills proposed by Senators Claro M. Recto and Congressman Jacobo Gonzales.

President Ramon Magsaysay

On June 12, 1956, ______ signed the bills proposed by Senators Claro M. Recto and Congressman Jacobo Gonzales.

Senators Claro M. Recto and Congressman Jacobo Gonzales.

On June 12, 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bills proposed by

Republic Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.

The act of President Magsaysay converted the bills into a law known as

Republic Act 1425

An Act to include 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 tanghere and el filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and other purposes

Claro M. Recto

Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill which was first authored by

Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill

is considered as one of the most controversial bills in the Philippines.

Jose P. Laurel

created an amendment to the original bill in which, other than Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, works written by Rizal and works written by others about Rizal would be included and reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels, would no longer be compulsory to elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly observed to college level.

Jesus Paredes & Arturo Tolentino

believed in rekindling the kind of life that Rizal led and the visions he had for his country among the youth.

April 17, 1956

Senator Jose P. Laurel, the sponsor of the bill, tackled SB 438 with the title An Act to Make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading Matters in All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities and for Other Purposes.

The church

alleged, in a pastoral letter, that the novels of Rizal do not promote nationalism but more of criticism against it.

The catholic church

strongly opposed due to the following reasons: (1) show open criticism to the Catholic Church; (2) in the “compulsory” teaching of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s Noli and El Fili, a teacher would have the tendency to discuss—or worse, to criticize— certain Church doctrines; and, (3) the inevitable criticism of Church doctrines might lead to the jeopardy of the faith of people.

Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo

who claimed that the reading of the unexpurgated versions of Rizal’s novels as against the conscience of the Catholics.