Barber, Margareth S.
Date Submitted: November 11, 2022
RZL110_B3
Different arguments for and against the Rizal Bill.
Arguments for Arguments against
• The Rizal Bill's initially proponent • Father Jesus Cavanna is a priest
was Senator Claro M. Recto. At the who practices Catholicism, based
Congress, he tried to propose the on my articles. He is also
bill. However, the Catholic church recognized for penning the film on
strongly opposed this. He is Rizal's reversion to Catholicism. In
supporting the Bill because he contrast, he was the one who
believes it will be extremely opposed Senate Bill 438, also
beneficial for our nation. After all, it known as the Rizal bill, despite
will support learners in realizing the having written something about
meaning of nationalism and its Rizal. He also labels the Noli Me
significance. Furthermore, Senator Tangehere as an attack on clergy,
Claro put out the Bill out of a desire wherein it insulted the Catholic
for the Filipino people to never Faith. He claimed that the writings
forget how Rizal and the other of Rizal will be harmful due to false
heroes fought for our freedom. picture.
• Apart from Senator Claro, Senator • Former senator Francisco Rodrigo
Jose P. Laurel was the one that was also a playwright, broadcaster,
sponsored the Rizal Bill. Back then, and lawyer. He was also well
Senator Laurel stood as the known for his Catholicism. He is
committee's chairman for one of those who opposed the Rizal
education. He supported Senator Bill as a response. He claims that
Claro's desire for the students to because of the potential for his kid
study and preserve Rizal's books in to lose his faith if he reads Rizal's
order to foster their nationalism. novels, he is unable to permit him
Furthermore, he was the one who to do so. Francisco Rodrigo,
suggested abolishing the however, recommended an
requirement to read Rizal's Novel alternative: requiring students to
but allowing everyone to read the read footnoted copies of the novels.
unaltered version.
• In spite of the fact that Senators • Former senator Decroso Rosales
Claro and Laurel were the major was one among them (senators).
supporters of the bill, other He was one of the senators that
individuals also agreed with it. opposed the Rizal Bill, on the other
Congressional members Gonzales, hand. He opposed it because he
Cortez, Bengzon, Roces, and anticipated many Catholic schools
Tolentino are. would close if the Rizal bill became
law because they thought students
reading the novels or Rizal would
cause them to lose faith.
• Rizal aspired to inculcate in the • City Bishop Manuel Yap, he is the
Filipinos civic consciousness, one who warned the lawmakers
national dignity, civic pride, and that they would be punished in the
patriotism. Rizal's writings did not upcoming elections if they
include any theological or religious supported the Rizal Bill (senate bill
teachings. 438) and it was implemented.
• Based on the discussion of the • The Catholic Church encourages
article’s, studying Rizal is a helpful its members to write to their
as any other subject or courses that congressman and senators in the
teaches values that students would Rizal Law opposition campaign to
actually carry with them for the rest express their opposition to the bill..
of their lives. Groups such as Catholic Actions of
the Philippines, the Catholic
Teachers guild, the knights of
Columbus, and the congregation of
the mission organized opposition to
the bill.
