Republic act no 1425

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. 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, and for Other Purposes. The measure was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines due to the anti-clerical themes in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The Significance of RA. 1425

SEC. 1 Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels 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 translations shall be used as basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the regulations of this Act. 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. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SEC. 2 It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and expurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SEC. 3 The Board of National education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and the Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SEC. 4 Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amending or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other persons engaged in any public school.

SEC. 5 The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 6 This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Who made Rizal the foremost National Hero? Esteban A. de OcampoFour reason for, why Rizal is the National Hero?

1. Nobility and DignityWhat set Rizal apart from the others were his methods. Instead of relaying on the sword, he relied on the might of the pen. Using this method he was able to produce novels and poems that touched the Filipino’s soul. Without resorting to violence, he made Filipinos realize the oppression they were going through under the Spaniards. In his poems he also made it clear how important it was to love one’s country. It was a noble approach and something unique. Instead of raising arms, he embedded in the Filipino an idea. Unlike warriors, an idea cannot be killed. It is this reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines.

2. Showing the Filipino PotentialRizal was a brilliant writer and poet. He was able to speak several languages and highly skilled. He was able to use his intelligence to set forth his beliefs and opinions clearly. As such, he was able to show his countrymen and the world what the Filipino could be capable of. By becoming a novelist, engineer, writer etc Rizal showed that there was no limit to the ability of the Filipino.

3. Fighting for FreedomThrough his works, Rizal was able to revolutionize the way that the Filipino thought. That is another reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines. Even without making rousing speeches or bold declarations, he was able to stir the people’s inner spirit. He showed that without killing another man, one can fight oppression. He also demonstrated how the power of the pen could be stronger than the sword. He also showed how someone could bring about change without resorting to violence.

4. A ReformistRizal was also different from the other revolutionaries in other ways. He didn’t just want freedom for the people. He wanted reforms. Through his works he wanted to show how important it was for the Philippines to be civilized. The reason why Jose Rizal is the national hero of the Philippines is because he looked far beyond overthrowing the Spaniards. He was interested in the long term situation of the country.