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Arguments on the Rizal Bill Debate

Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, a devout Catholic, argued against the Rizal Bill by claiming that Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo directly attacked and ridiculed the Catholic church. Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto supported the bill by arguing that Rizal's writings should be read by each generation because they contain morality and will awaken patriotism and nationalism in Filipino youth. There was some convergence between supporters and opponents as both focused on aspects of religion and morality, though opponents saw Rizal's works as attacking the church while supporters believed they taught good morality and that the church is a source of morality.

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901 views1 page

Arguments on the Rizal Bill Debate

Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, a devout Catholic, argued against the Rizal Bill by claiming that Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo directly attacked and ridiculed the Catholic church. Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto supported the bill by arguing that Rizal's writings should be read by each generation because they contain morality and will awaken patriotism and nationalism in Filipino youth. There was some convergence between supporters and opponents as both focused on aspects of religion and morality, though opponents saw Rizal's works as attacking the church while supporters believed they taught good morality and that the church is a source of morality.

Uploaded by

carol indangan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1.

What was the major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against
the passage of the Rizal Bill?
Based on an article about the Rizal Law, there were three senators who opposed
such bill. One of them was Senator Francisco Soc Rodrigo. Senator Rodrigo was a
devout Catholic and had close ties with the CBCP or the Catholic church. According
to Pilande (2018), the major argument raised by Senator Rodrigo was that the books
of Rizal, specifically, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, were written to
directly attack and ridicule the Catholic church. He argued that the books are clearly
anti- Catholic. It was clear that Senator Rodrigo’s antagonistic argument was because
he believed that Rizal’s novel is a way of attacking the church.

2. What was the major argument raised by Senator Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto
in support of the passage of the Rizal Bill?
Based on an article that I have read, the major arguments of Laurel and Recto
about Rizal was that his novels or writings should be read by each generation
because it contains morality. Originally, Senator Claro M. Recto was the proponent
of the Rizal Law. The objective of the Bill is to mandate all educational institutions to
offer a subject Jose Rizal in the Philippines. Their major argument I think is that the
Rizal subject will awaken the sense of patriotism and nationalism in every Filipino
youth. Also, they believed that the Rizal subject will push they youth to apply the
principles and perspectives lived by Rizal to solve today’s problems.

3. Are there points of convergence between the supporters and opposes of the Rizal
Bill based on these statements?
Based on my personal observation, there were points of convergence between
the supporters and the opposition of the Rizal Bill. Their points were focused on the
aspects of religion and acts of morality. Senator Rodrigo was opposing the law
believing that it is an act of church attack. On the other side, both Recto and Laurel
believed that the writings of Rizal was teaching good morality. And, it should be
understood that church is the source of good moral.

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