oi.
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SEN 
S. No.
25 JUL 15 All :13
RtCEfVcD B'.',
b
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
After 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.
ROBI
PADILLA
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL 15 All :13
)
SENATE 
S. No. GOb
RECEIVlD BY;
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 
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 the curricula IN 
ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION, INCLUDING BASIC, SECONDARY, 
AND HIGHER EDUCATION, IN all [ef} 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 textsH: 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


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STANDARDS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 
(DEPED).
[The Boord of Notional Educotion] 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 Board 
shall promulgate rules and regulations providing fer-the exemption of
students-for reasons of religieus-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-fer-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."


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Sec 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read
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as follows:
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"Sec. 2. XXX
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The [Board of-National Education] DEPED AND CHED shall determine
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the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment
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of the school, college or university."
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Sec 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read
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as follows:
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"Sec. 3. [The Board of Notionol Education] THE DEPED, IN
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COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT
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AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION AND OTHER RELEVANT
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INSTITUTIONS, shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and
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El Filibusterismo, as well as other SIGNIFICANT writings of Jose Rizal
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into English, FILIPINO Tagalog and, the principal Philippine [dialects-;
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cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and-eause-them-te]
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REGIONAL LANGUAGES. THESE TRANSLATIONS SHALL BE
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PUBLISHED IN ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND SHALL be distributed,
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free of charge, to [persons desiring to read-them] INTERESTED
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INDIVIDUALS, through [the Purok organizations and Borrio Councils]
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MODERN AND EFFECTIVE MEANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT
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LIMITED TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS, BARANGAY CENTERS, AND
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OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS throughout the country.
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Sec 4. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 1425 is hereby further amended to read
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as follows:
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"Sec. 5.[The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby author-ked 
to be approprioted out of ony 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


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SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT 
(GAA) FOR THE YEAR FOLLOWING ITS ENACTMENT AND EVERY 
YEAR THEREAFTER.
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Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held unconstitutional
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or invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules
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and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act
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are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the
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Philippines.
Approved,