HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
THE TRIALS OF THE RIZAL BILL
The Trials of The Rizal Bill (Author: Jose B. Laurel, Jr)
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
“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, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol.
52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

Because of that law, “Rizal” is a required subject in most colleges in the Philippines.
Let Us Now Find Out How Rizal Bill Becomes A Law
APRIL 3, 1956
Senate Bill No. 438
In 1956, Senator Claro M. Recto filed a measure that became the original RIZAL Bill
recognizing the need to instill heroism among the youth at the time when the country was
experiencing social turmoil.
The original version reads as follows:
"AN ACT TO MAKE NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO COMPULSORY
READING MATTERS IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
APRIL 17, 1956
Senator Jose P. Laurel, as Chairman of the Committee on Education, began his sponsorship
of the measure and began delivering speeches for the proposed legislation.
"The objective of the measure was to disseminate the ideas and ideals of the great Filipino
patriot through the reading of his work, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo"
APRIL 19, 1956
House Bill No. 5561
Jacobo Gonzales
"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, and
for Other Purposes."
The time when the conflict reached the House of Representatives. The Bill is identical copy of
Senate Bill No. 438.
APRIL 23,1956
Debates in Senate Bill begun
Senator Mariano J. Cuenco, Francisco Rodrigo and Decoroso Rosales are identified as rabid
Catholics opposed the said Bill. The Catholic church claimed that the two novels contained
news inimical to the tenet of their faith and includes the violation of religious freedom.
"Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion; between the government and
the church." Rodrigo said.
But, Senator Recto claimed that the sole objective of the bill was to foster the better
appreciation of Rizal's times and of the role he played in combating Spanish tyranny in this
country.
The Catholic Church Against Rizal Law and Senator Claro M. Recto
• When the Catholic Church in the Philippines found out about Recto’s bill, it mobilized its
forces to prevent the bill from becoming law.
• Ironically, almost 70 years after the publication of Noli Me Tangere, the Church still viewed
Rizal’s novels as blasphemous.
• The Catholic Church of 120 years ago used the same influence in preventing the novels to
be read by Filipinos.
• No less than Manila Archbishop Rufino Santos penned an impassioned pastoral letter
protesting the bill. It was read in all masses in the country, much to the ire of then Manila
Mayor Arsenio Lacson, who allegedly walked out of the mass when he heard the pastoral
letter being read. Lacson was one of the most vocal supporters of the Rizal Bill.
• In his pastoral letter, Archbishop Santos argued that the compulsory reading of the original
versions of Rizal’s novels would negatively affect students.
• Those who opposed the Rizal Bill painted Recto as communist and anti-Catholic.
• According to Abinales and Amoroso (2005), the Church feared the bill would violate freedom
of conscience and religion.
• A coalescence of religious groups within the church rallied to block the passage of the bill in
the Senate.
• Among the most active groups that opposed the Rizal Bill were the Catholic Action of the
Philippines, the Knights of Columbus, the Congregation of the Mission, and the Catholic
Teachers Guild.
• The Catholic Church urged its faithful to write to lawmakers to make their opposition to the
bill known. Catholic groups organized symposiums on why it should not become law.
• In one of these symposiums, Fr. Jesus Cavanna allegedly argued the novels would
misrepresent current conditions in the church. Cavanna was the author of the book, Rizal's
Unfading Glory: A Documentary History of the Conversion of Dr. José Rizal, published in 1956
after the passage of the Rizal Law. The book details Jose Rizal’s conversion to Catholicism.
• Several Catholic schools around the country banded together in opposition to the Rizal Bill.
It came to a point when a number of Catholic schools threatened to close down if the Rizal Bill
became law.
• Senator Recto responded by saying the government would simply take over the
administration of these schools if they closed, and nationalize them.
•“The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools would blot out from our
minds the memory of the national hero. This is not a fight against Recto but a fight against
Rizal,” Recto said.
MAY 2, 1956
Report of Committee on Education, recommending approval without amendment.
MAY 9, 1956
Debate about the amendment of original bill started
• Notable Defenders: Congressmen Emilio Cortez, Mario Bengzon, Joaquin R. Roces, W.
Rancap Lagumbay
• Outspoken Opponents: Congressmen Ramon Durano, Jose Nuguid, Marciano Lim, Manuel
Zosa, Lucas Paredes, Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco and Congresswomen Carmen D.
Consing and Tecla San Andres Ziga
• As the daily debates wore in Congress and throughout the country, it become more apparent
that no agreement could be reached on the original version of the Bill.
• However, Senator Laurel, sensing the futility of further strife on the matter, rose to propose
in his own name an amendment by substitution.
MAY 12, 1956
Senator Lim, proposed the exemption of students from the requirements of the bill.
The amendment to the amendment state:
"The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for
reason of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement from the requirement of the
provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking
the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph.“
The amendment is unanimously approved.
The second reading also approved unanimously.
• Congressman Arturo M. Tolentino, the brilliant House Majority Floor Leader, sponsored the
amendment by substitution identical to Senator Laurel's substitute bill as amended and
approved on second reading in the Upper House.
• Congressman Miguel Cuenco - "measure was unconstitutional"
• Congressman Bengzon - "The substitute bill represented a complete triumph of the Church
Hierarchy"
• No less than 51 congressman appearing as its co-authors, including the majority and minority
leadership in the Chamber.
May 17, 1956
Congress was to adjourn since it would due in few days, the President (Ramon Magsaysay)
had declined to certify to the necessity of the immediate enactment of measure. There is need
of complying with the constitutional requirement that printed copies thereof be distributed
among the Congressmen at least three calendar day prior to its final approval by the House.
1. Senate Bill No. 438 was approved in third reading with 23 votes in favor.
2. House Bill No. 5561 was also approved on third reading with 27 votes in favor (6 were
against, 2 abstained and 17 were absent).
3. This bill was passed by the latter Chamber without amendment.
4. Provided that the number of the Senate bill should appear in enrolled courses.
On June 12, President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill as Republic Act 1425. More than
50 years after the “Rizal Law”, Catholic Ateneo de Manila is at the forefront of Rizal studies,
especially with fellow columnist and Rizalist Ambeth Ocampo teaching there. Ateneo’s main
library is named after Rizal.
This fulfilled the words of Rizal who through Pilosofo Tasio in Noli Me Tangere, said:
"I am writing for the generations of Filipinos yet to come, a generation that will be enlightened
and educated, a generation that will read my books and appreciate them without condemning
me as a heretic."
PRES. RAMON MAGSAYSAY - a Filipino statesman who served as the 7th President of the
Philippines, from December 30, 1953 until his death in an aircraft disaster.
On December 26, 1994, In the preparation for the centennial commemoration of Dr. Jose
Rizal's martyrdom, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Memorandum Order No. 247, directing
the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) and the
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to take steps to fully implement to
the letter the intent and spirit of R.A. 1425, popularly known as Rizal Law.
THE RIZAL LAW AND THE CATHOLIC HIERARCHY, IN THE MAKING OF A FILIPINO
Claro Mayo Recto (Feb. 8, 1890- Oct. 2, 1960)
-
The main sponsor and defender of the Rizal Bill
Biography






Born in Tiaong, Tayabas (Quezon)
Parents: Claro Recto, Sr. and Micaela Mayo
Completed his primary education in his hometown and his secondary education in
Batangas
Moved to Manila and completed his AB degree at the Ateneo and was awarded as
maxima cum laude in 1909
Finished his law degree in 1914 at UST and was admitted to the BAR that same year
Wife: Aurora Reyes, 5 children
Political Career
-
Started as representative of the third district of Batangas.
Became the House Minority Floor Leader
Elected as a Senator in 1931
In the Senate, he held key positions such as Minority Floor Leader, Majority Floor
Leader, and Senate President Pro-Tempore
In 1935, he became Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
Became an instrument in the drafting of the constitution of the Philippines 1934-35, as
he was selected as president of the assembly
Served as a diplomat and an important figure in international relations
Known as ardent nationalist and man of letters
He penned beautiful poetry and prose
Died on October 2, 1960 due to heart attack in Italy
Recto believed that the reading of Rizal’s Novel would strengthen the Filipinism of the youth
and foster patriotism. Thus, making the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory
reading in all universities and colleges.
However, this measure immediately ran into determined opposition from the Catholic
hierarchy claiming that this would VIOLATE FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE AND RELIGION.
The Catholic Hierarchy issued a Pastoral Letter, written by Fr. Jesus Cavanna of the Paulist
Fathers detailing its objections to the bill and enjoining Catholics to oppose it.
● Francisco Rodrigo proposed for a closed-door conference to search for a solution of the
dispute.
● Laurel and its supporters rejected such proposal since public hearing had been made.
● A more organized campaign against the Bill was launched under the Auspices of the
Catholic Action of Manila.
● Its first activity was a symposium and open forum in which two announcements are made.
The announcements were:
1. That Sentinel (the official organ of the Philippine Catholic Action) would published daily
instead of weekly; and
2. That Filipino Catholics would be urged to write to their congressmen and senators asking
them to “kill” the Rizal Bill.
During the symposium
Fr. Jesus Cavanna
-
Said that the novels of Rizal “belong to the past” and it would be “harmful” to read them
because they presented a “false picture” of the conditions in the country at that time.
Described Noli Me Tangere as “attack to the clergy” and its object was to “put to ridicule
the Catholic Faith”
Alleged that the novel was not really patriotic because out of 333 pages only 25
contained patriotic passages while 120 were devoted to anti-Catholic attacks.
Radio Commentator Jesus Paredes
-
“Catholics had the right to refuse to read them so as not to endanger their salvation”
Radio Commentator Narciso Pimentel, Jr.
-
“The bill was Recto’s revenge against Catholic voters who, together with Magsaysay,
were responsible for his poor showing in the 1955 senatorial election”
RIZAL BILL - Tempers flared during the continuous debates and opponents attacked each
other with greater violence.
Meanwhile, Bishop Manuel Yap warned the legislators who voted for the Rizal Bill be
“punished” in the next election.
Recto on the other hand branded him as “the modern-day Torquemada”
What does Torquemada mean?
Tomás de Torquemada is the first grand inquisitor in Spain, whose name has become
synonymous with the Christian Inquisition’s horror, religious bigotry, and cruel fanaticism.
• On May 12, the controversy ended with unanimous approval of a substitute measure
authored by Sen. Laurel based on the proposals of Sen. Roseller T. Lim and Emmanuel
Pelaez
• Which accommodated the objections of the Catholic hierarchy, provided that the basic texts
in the collegiate courses should be unexpurgated editions of the two novels
• Opponents of the original Recto version jubilantly claimed a “Complete Victory”
• Proponents felt that they had at least gained something.
THE RIZAL BILL OF 1956, HORACIO DE LA COSTA AND THE BISHOPS
RA 1425 WITHIN ITS CONTEXT