Amending Republic Act No. 1425, Rizal Law

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 15 All :13 First Regular Session RECEIVED B: SO 666 S. No. - Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "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" EXPLANATORY NOTE Arter the Second World War, the Philippines faced the task of rebuilding the national identity and reaffirming the values of patriotism and civic consciousness among its citizens. Central to this national awakening was Jose Rizal, whose writings exposed the injustices of Spanish colonial rule and inspired a movement for a peaceful reform. As the national hero, Rizal's life and works became a cornerstone in shaping a collective Filipino identity during the post-war years. In line with this, Republic Act No. 1425, otherwise known as the Rizal Law, was enacted on June 12, 1956. Originating as Senate Bill No. 438 authored by Senator Claro M. Recto. It became a landmark piece of legislation-one that not only honored the hero but also embodied the post-independence aspiration for a more informed and patriotic citizenry. The law remains in full force and effect to this day, with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) periodically issuing guidelines to ensure continued compliance of the old law. Despite its enduring legal status and historical importance, Republic Act No. 1425 continues to face implementation challenges. Recent studies, such as one conducted at Saint Louis University in 2024, show that while Rizal-related coursework

may temporarily enhance civic awareness among students, its long-term impact on engagement remains limited. Moreover, the need for repeated administrative directives-such as a 1995 Department of Education order urging schools to comply with the law-suggests that adherence has not been consistent over time from the effectivity of the law. These issues underscore the need to revitalize and reinforce the law's implementation in more meaningful and accessible ways. Jose Rizal remains a towering figure in Philippine history, not only for his intellect and sacrifice but also for his peaceful advocacy of political reform-making him Asia's first modern nonviolent reformist. The Rizal Law continues to serve as a vital channel for instilling these values in the youth. Hence, there is a pressing need to renew and strengthen the interest in the life, works, and vision of Jose Rizal for a just and progressive Filipino nation. His imagining of a great Filipino nation is needed and government support for such studies and teaching is long overdue. In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought. Sénator

Gine clin TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL 15 AIl :13 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVLD BY: S. No. 606 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "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" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 1425 otherwise known as the "Rizal

2 Law" shall be amended to read, as follows: "Section 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included AS A MANDATORY COMPONENT OF [int the curricula IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING BASIC, SECONDARY, AND HIGHER EDUCATION, IN all [of PUBLIC OR PRIVATE 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 textsl-f: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IN THE BASIC AND SECONDARY EDUCATION LEVELS, THE TREATMENT OF THE SUBJECT SHALL BE AGE-APPROPRIATE AND ALIGNED WITH THE LEARNING COMPETENCIES AND PEDAGOGICAL

STANDARDS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED). [The Beard of National Education] THE DEPED, IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED) AND OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES, is hereby MANDATED [authorized and directed] to adopt THE NECESSARY [forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this ACT [Section], including the DEVELOPMENT, writing, PUBLICATION, and DISTRIBUTION [printing] of AGE-appropriate AND ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS - primers, readers and textbooks - ON THE LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL. [The Board] THE DEPED AND CHED shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this [Act] AMENDMENT, promulgate THE NECESSARY rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. [The Beard shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons 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 REGULATIONS SHALL ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE EXEMPTION OF STUDENTS, ON THE BASIS OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF, FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO READ THE UNEXPURGATED VERSIONS OF NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, UPON SUBMISSION OF A SWORN WRITTEN STATEMENT BY THE STUDENT OR BY THEIR PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. HOWEVER, SUCH EXEMPTION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETING THE COURSE ON RIZAL'S LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette."

Sec 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read

3 as follows: "Sec. 2. XXX The [Board of National Education] DEPED AND CHED shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university."

Sec 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read

9 as follows: "Sec. 3. EThe Board of National Education] THE DEPED, IN COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION AND OTHER RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS, shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other SIGNIFICANT writings of Jose Rizal into English, FILIPINO Fagalog and, the principal Philippine [Gialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them tol REGIONAL LANGUAGES. THESE TRANSLATIONS SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND SHALL be distributed, free of charge, to [persons desiring to read them] INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, through [the Purok organizations and Barrio Counchs) MODERN AND EFFECTIVE MEANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS, BARANGAY CENTERS, AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS throughout the country.

Sec 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read

as follows: "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.] THE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT

SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (GAA) FOR THE YEAR FOLLOWING ITS ENACTMENT AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional

or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules

and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act & are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,