Legislative History
| An Act to make Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo compulsory reading matter in all public and private colleges and universities and for other purposes; | |
| April 3, 1956 | - By the Committee on Education, filed; |
| April 4, 1956 |
- Submitted to the Senate; - Referred to the Committee on Education on the same day; - Returned by said Committee with the Committee, Report No. 928, recommending that it be approved without amendment. |
| April 5, 1956 | - Submitted said Report to the Senate. |
| May 12, 1956 | - Passed on second reading by the Senate with amendments. |
| May 14, 1956 | - Printed copies distributed to the Senators. |
| May 17, 1956 |
- Passed on third reading by the Senate; - Sent to the House requesting concurrence on the same day; - The House asked for a conference on H. No. 5561 and this Bill, having appointed as its conferees Congressmen Lim, Roces and Cases. |
| May 17, 1956 | - The House having passed a Bill (H. No. 5561) similar to this Bill, the former was passed without amendment by the Senate provided that the number of the Senate Bill should appear in the enrolled copies. |
| (See H. No. 5561 which became R. A. No. 1425). |
Other Details
Link From Other Sources
Official Gazette
Full Text of Issuance
Click to view full text
S. No. 438 H. No. 5561 / 52 OG No. 6, 2971 (June, 1956)
[ REPUBLIC ACT No. 1425, June 12, 1956 ]
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.
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 special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, 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,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 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 translation 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 provisions of this Act. The Board 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 first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (80) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.
SEC. 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of 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 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 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 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.
Source: Supreme Court E-Library