Republic Act 1425
• The mandatory Rizal subject in the Philippines was the
upshot of this bill which later become a law in 1956.
• The bill involves mandating educational institutions in the
country to offer a course on the hero’s life, works and
writings especially the Noli Me Tangere and the El
Filibusterismo.
• The transition from being a bill to becoming a republic act
was not easy as the proposal was met with intent
opposition, particularly from the catholic church.
• Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of
the Rizal Bill. He was even dubbed as a
communist and an anti-catholic.
• Catholic school threatened to stop operation
if the bill was passed.
• Recto countered the threat, stating that if
happened, the schools would be nationalized.
• He suggested to use instead the expurgated
(edited) version of Rizal’s novels as
mandatory readings. “ The people who
would eliminate the books of Rizal from the
schools would blot out from our minds the
memory of national hero. This is not fight
against Recto but a fight against Rizal”
Claro M. Recto
• The bill was eventually passed, but with a clause that
would allow exemptions to students who think that
reading the Noli and Fili would ruin their faith.
• One can apply to the Department of Education from
exemptions from reading Rizal’s novels though not
taking the Rizal subject.
• The bill was enacted on June 12, 1956
Republic Act 1425
and other
Rizal Law
• The Rizal bill became a Republic Act No. 1425, known
as the “Rizal Law”
• The full name of the law is “An 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.
• The first section of the law concerns mandating the
students to read Rizal’s novels.
• The last two sections involve making Rizal’s writings
accessible to the general public.
• They require the schools to have a sufficient copies in
their libraries and mandate the publication of the works
in major Philippine Languages.
• Jose P. Laurel, then a senator who co-wrote the law,
explained that since Jose Rizal was the founder of the
country’s nationalism and had significantly contributed
to the current condition of the nation.
• It is only right that Filipinos, know about and learn to
imbibe the great ideals for which the hero died.
• Rizal Law aims to accomplish the following goals:
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived
and died.
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life
and works in shaping the Filipino character.
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the
study of Rizal’s life, works and writing.
• Former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994, through
Memorandum Order No.247, directed the Secretary of
Education Culture and Sports and the Chairman of the
Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the
R.A. 1425 as there had been reports that the law had still
not been totally carried out.
• In 1995, CHED Memorandum No.3 was issued enforcing
strict compliance to Memorandum No. 247
• Republic Act No.229 is an act
prohibiting cockfighting, horse
racing and jai-alai on the 30th day
of December to crate a committee
to take charge of the proper
celebration of Rizal day in every
municipality and charted city.
The Importance of Studying Rizal
• The subject provides insight into how to deal
with current problems.
• It helps us to understand better ourselves as
Filipinos.
• It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
• It provides various essential life lessons.
• It helps to develop logical and critical thinking
• Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
• The subject is rich source of entertaining
narratives.
• Reference:
• Mañebog, Jensen DG. (2013). The Importance of the Jose Rizal Subject.
Retrieved from
https://ourhappyschool.com/history/importance-jose-rizal-subject
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8TKkQ7FUGw
