The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

The first trial of Jose Rizal happened

December 11, 1896. He was handed down a death sentence After sixty years, the second trial took place and in this case his novels Noli and Fili were the subjects of the case

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

Senator Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel

introduced Senate Bill No. 438 on April 03,1956 It was an act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compulsory Reading in All Public and Private Colleges and Universities and for Other Purposes

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

Senator Soc Rodrigo commented that it should be required but not compulsory He commented that he would not allow his teenage son to read the novels Judge Guillermo Guevarra considered it a violation of academic freedom The church made use of lobbyists as well as priests in opposing the Rizal Bill Father Jesus Cavana of the Order of St. Paul said, ....it would be dangerous to expose young

minds to possible perversion against the church

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

One Commentator, Jesus Paredes, said that

the novels contained objectionable matter Another commentator Narciso Pimentel speculated that politics was involved in drafting the Rizal Bill The church continued its opposition by calling all Catholic voters who supported Rectos bill

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

Emilio Aguinaldo, Servillano Aquino and

General Mamerto Natividad supported the bill Mayor Arsenio Lacson of Manila favored the bill The Catholic church insisted on attaching footnotes on the unedited version of the Noli and Fili

The Second Trial of Joe Rizal

The whole Catholic hierarachy :

Congregation of Missions, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Teachers guild, Student Catholic Action were one in opposing the bill Congressman Jacobo Gonzalez introduced the House version of the bill on April 16, 1956 The debate on the bill led to a fistfight between Congressman Durano of Cebu, an anti Rizal and Congressman Emilio Cortez of Pampanga, who was in favor of the bill

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

Four Senators including Emmanuel Pelaez

stated that Rizals novels should be made available in the libraries of school and not prescribed as compulsory reading ; Noli and Fili should only serve as supplementary reading in school. Laurel recommended a more stringent amendment to the bill making the reading of the novels compulsory

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

According to Laurel, the unexpurgated

versions of English translations should serve as the basic text in colleges. Rodrigo and Rosales contradicted the idea and recommended the expurgated version of the novels Recto and Laurel opposed the expurgated version for it will be a distortion of historical facts.

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

May 17, 1956, the Senate version of the bill

was approved with the following provisions: 1. There will be no compulsory readings of Rizals novels 2. The inclusion of the study of Rizals works and writings in the curriculum in all schools , colleges and universities will not be immediately implemented particularly the study of the two novels

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

The unedited version of the novels in the original Spanish version or the English translated

version will serve only as reference books in colleges and universities Students of Catholic schools maybe exempted from reading the un-expurgated version of the novels provided they provide the school authorities with a sworn statement that reading the novel would be against their faith. However, they still have to take up the Rizal Course

The Second Trial of Jose Rizal

June 12, 1956, President Ramon Magsaysay approved Batas Rizal or Rizal Law :

Republic Act 1425. AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, COURSE ON THE LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL PARTICULARLY HIS NOVEL, NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Republic Act 1425

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to

the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;

Republic Act 1425

WHEREAS, the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal,

particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the

supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore:

Republic Act 1425

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of

Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: Jose Rizal, particularly his novel 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 translation shall be used as basic texts.

Section 1. Courses on the life, works, and writings of

Republic Act 1425

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 disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions 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

Republic Act 1425

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. and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal's other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere

Sec. 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges

Republic Act 1425

and El Filibusterismo, as well as of 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.

Republic Act 1425

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 Barrio Councils throughout the country.

Republic Act 1425

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 person 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. Approved: June 12, 1956