Source Criticism
KASPIL1 Report 2
Alicbusan.DePano.Fermo
Franco.Ordinario.Salvadora.Tiolengco
Title of Document/Source
Is it a primary source? What type of
primary source?
Is it a secondary source? Describe
the secondary source.
Santos, Rufino, D.D. Statements of
No.
the Philippine Hierarchy on the
Novels of Dr. Jose Rizal. Manila: CBCP,
April 2, 1956.
Yes, this source made use of several
other sources.
To Screen All Works By Heroes, (April
1956).
Yes, it is an article.
No.
Salak, Manuel B. Catholic leaders
warn of dissension. (April 1956).
Yes, it is an article.
No.
Constantino, Renato. Ang bagong
Lumilipas, Vol. 2 (1994).
No.
Yes. It seems to be a compilation of
ideas and narratives from others.
Laurel, Jose B., Jr. The Trials of the
Yes, it’s a newspaper.
Rizal Bill. Philippine Historical
Bulletin. 50th Anniversary Issue (2009)
No.
Title of Document/Source
De Viana, Augusto. Fifty Years of the
Rizal Law: 1956: 2006 What have we
learned? Historical Bulletin. Vol. 43
(2009)
Is it a primary source? What type of
primary source?
Is it a secondary source? Describe
the secondary source.
No.
Yes, as it made use of other sources.
Locsin, Teodoro M. The Church Under Yes, it is a newspaper article.
Attack. Philippine Free Press (May 5,
1956).
No.
Recto, Claro M. Senate Bill 438: NoliFili Bill. (1956).
Yes, it is a government document,
specifically a senate bill.
No.
Republic Act No. 1425. (1956).
Yes, it is a government document,
specifically a republic act.
No.
Document Analysis
KASPIL1 Report 2
What kind of document is RA 1425? What kind of
document is the Noli-Fili Bill?// question 1
• The RA 1425 and the Noli-Fili Bill are
considered to be government documents. The
RA 1425 is a comprised version of House Bill
No.5561 and senate Bill No. 428 that became
a law while the Noli- Fili Bill is a constitutional
bill that was not approved by the executive
branch.
When were they written? Is there a date or other
information that indicates this?// question 2
• The RA 1425 was written in June 12, 1965
while the Noli-Fili bill was written around
1942-1945.
Who wrote or created the documents?
// question 3
• The Noli Fili Bill was originally written by Claro
M. Recto while the RA 1425 was written by
Senator Laurel.
For whom were the documents written?
// question 4
• The Noli-Fili Bill was addressed to the Senate
as it had to undergo approval before the
executive branch received and implemented
it. The RA 1425, which was created by the
executive branch, was then meant for the
general public for them to gain knowledge
about the newly passed bill.
Where were the documents written? //
question 5
• The articles didn’t mention the exact place of
which the documents were written but most
likely, it would be written in the Philippines.
Why were the documents written?//
question 6
• The documents were written because they
wanted to arouse Filipino nationalism. Rizal’s
works portrayed the actual situation of the
Philippines in the past and it is known to be a
constant source of patriotism which was said
to be what the youth needs today. It should be
done during an early stage .
Do the documents reveal the writer’s mood ?
//question 7
• The documents did not reveal any kind of
mood from the writer. They were intended to
be objectively written.
Do the documents provide any clues about the relationship
between the writer and audience?//question 9
• Yes, the Noli-Fili bill reveals the relationship
between the Senate and the House of the
Representatives of the Philippines and the
executive branch of the government, as they
are the ones who will be approving his bill. On
the other hand, the RA 1425 reveals the
relationship between the executive branch
and the general public as it was meant to
inform them of the provisions of the passed
bill.
Similarities of the
RA1425 and Noli Fili
Bill
Differences of the RA 1425
and Noli-Fili Bill
Contents of RA 1425
Contents of the Noli-Fili Bill
Should be included in the
curriculum
The novel is required for private, Address the need for
college and universities
nationalism and
patriotism
The punishments differ. The
Noli Fili bill violation
punishment is dismissal or
disqualification while the
RA 1425 has a fine.
Libraries in school should
have enough copies of the
original novels
The novels must be original or
unexpurgated versions
National Board of Education
has a responsibility of
translating the novels and
other works.
National Board of Education The implementation is by the
will translate the works of
National Board of Education
Rizal into different languages
The sum of three hundred
thousand pesos is
authorized to those who
violate this act
It must not limit the study of
other national heroes and it also
includes the life of Rizal
Includes only the two novels Violators of these bill will be
of Rizal.
punished
They are being make
compulsory in schools
The bill was only concerned
about the works of Rizal,
while the RA included his
life.
List two things that the documents tell you about the
political and social life during the 1950’s?// question 10
• The Catholic Church had more influence
before in the political arena and had more
direct control over schools.
• Head of the schools were held responsible and
will be punished if person from that school is
found guilty of violating the law.
Write a question to the author that is left unanswered by
the documents. // question 11
• Where were the documents written?
• What other factors could have contributed to
the writing of the document?
Did the Noli-Fili Bill become RA 1425? Were there any controversies that developed
regarding the passage of the bill? Did it encounter any opposition? Who were in-favor and
against the law? Explain their arguments and whose arguments are more believable? //
question 12
• No, the law that was considered was only a
comprised version of this bill. After the bill was
issued, the Church wrote a pastoral letter saying
that if the bill was passed, unity can never be
formed from within the country. This became a
huge controversy for both sides argued regarding
the passage of the bill. People who were in favour
of this bill were Claro Recto and Senator Laurel
while those people against it were Mariano
Cuenco, Francisco Rodrigo and Decoroso Rosales.
[next]
// question 12 cont.
• Claro M. Recto claimed that without Rizal’s works,
there would not be a Filipino bishop today. Rizal’s
novels showed the people’s desire for political freedom
and social order. Rizal’s aim was to encourage Filipino
nationalism and his means of doing it was writing the
actual situation of the Philippines. On the opposition,
Rodrigo, Cueno and Rosales claimed that unity will
never be established and it would only result to a crisis.
People who will read the novel were said to lose
religious faith since the novel implies the cruelty of the
church and it contained errors of the church doctrine.
The novel reveals a false idea of the country’s condition
towards the reader.
[next]
// question 12 cont.
• The arguments of the two sides are both
understandable but Claro Recto’s claims were
more believable. The novels were not
intentionally created to attack religion or the
church for that matter. Its sole purpose was to
open the eyes of the Filipino about their
situation before and it is possible to have no
relation to the present.
Do you think studying Rizal’s life, works and writings are
still relevant today? Why? // question 13
• Yes, it is still relevant because it shows a part
of history that people can reflect back into.
Filipino culture can also be seen in Rizal’s
works and it can be a symbol of Filipino
nationalism.
KASPIL1 // fin :D
F I
N :D