Thought paper 1

Considering the context of the 1950’s what issues and interests are at stake in the
debate over the Rizal bill?
-Republic Act no. 1425, an act to include in the curricula of all public and private
schools, colleges and universities coursed on the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Some issues
encountered by the Rizal Bill was the disapproval of the catholic church. Recto,
the author of the bill believed that Rizal’s works Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo would strengthen the Filipinsm of the youth and foster
patriotism. But the catholic church’s defense in disapproval of the bill was that the
bill would violate freedom of conscience and religion and would be harmful to
read because of the “false picture” of conditions in the country at that time. They
also said that Noli Me Tangere was an “attack on the clergy” and said that its
subject was to “put to ridicule the catholic faith” and alleged that the novel was not
really patriotic because out of 333 pages, only 25 contained patriotic passages
while 120 where devoted to anti-Catholic attacks. But according to Senator Laurel,
the object of the measure was to disseminate the ideas and ideals of the great
Filipino Patriot through the reading of his works. He also stated in his speech
that; “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 in 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. After
many trials still this bill was passed and was declared a law on June 12, 1956 by
President Ramon magsaysay and became Republic Act NO. 1425. 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.
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

The heated disputes that raged around this legislation, the bitterness and recrimination that attended its
enactment, are almost unparalleled in the annals of Congress.

On April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel, Chairman of the Committee on Education, began his
sponsorship of the measure that start the disputations between the congress and the nation.

The two novels must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see
ourselves as in 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 church claims that the two novels contained views inimical to the tenets of their faith, they
particularly challenged the compulsary nature of the bill as violative of religious freedom.

The bill was filed by the committee on Education in April 3, 1956

The conflict reached the House of Representatives on April 19, 1956, when Congressman Jacobo Z.
Gonzaless introduced House Bill No. 5561, which was an identical copy Senate bill No. 438. Debates
started on May 9, 1956, following the report of the Committee on Education, dated May 2, 1956,
recommending approval without amendment.

He described the Noli Me Tangere as "an attack on the clergy" because he claims that the novel ws not
really patriotic as out of 333 pages, only 25 of them contain patriotic passages and the rest were
devoted to anti-Catholic attacks.

Their argument want that the bill would violate freedom of conscience and religion. The Catholic
heirarchy even issued a pastoral letter detailing its objectiosn to the bill and enjoining Catholics to
oppose it.

June 12, 1956, the bill was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay and become Republic Act.
No. 1425.

They don’t want to create a conflict between nationalism and religion; between the government and the
church.
the church played a big role in this fight because they are the ones who intervened with the
approval and signing of this bill into a law.

Moreover, Recto, during the 1955 Senate election was accused of being a communist and anti-
catholic.

Among those who opposed the bill were groups such as:
 Catholic Action of the Philippines
 Congregation of the Mission
 Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Teachers Guild

Meanwhile, those in favor of the bill were:

 Veteranos de la Revolucion
 Alagad ni Rizal
 Freemasons, and
 the Knights of Rizal

The concession was that the less offensive version be given to High School and lower level
while the full version will be given only to the College level.