Seventy years after the passage of the Rizal Law, Senator Robin Padilla is seeking to modernize how Filipino students learn about the country’s national hero.
Padilla has filed Senate Bill No. 606, which proposes amendments to Republic Act No. 1425, the Rizal Law, to update the teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings for a new generation of learners. The measure aims to make Rizal education more accessible, relevant, and effective through digital platforms, updated learning materials, and wider language accessibility.
The proposal would introduce age-appropriate Rizal lessons from basic education through secondary school, provide free digital copies and electronic learning materials, translate Rizal’s works into Filipino and major regional languages, and allocate funding for books, teaching resources, and teacher training.
“70 taon na ang nakalilipas, napapanahon na bang gawing mas makabago ang pag-aaral tungkol kay Dr. Jose Rizal?”
Republic Act No. 1425 was signed into law on June 12, 1956 and requires schools, colleges, and universities to teach the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The law was enacted to strengthen nationalism, patriotism, and appreciation of Philippine history among Filipino youth.
Under Padilla’s proposal, the objectives of the Rizal Law would remain in place while its implementation would be updated to reflect modern educational practices and digital learning environments.
The senator said the existing law continues to hold value, but its methods and delivery must evolve to meet the needs of present-day students.
“Panahon na upang bigyang-buhay ang batas na ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-update sa saklaw, pamamaraan, at wika nito.”
The bill remains pending before the Senate committee. If enacted, the measure would introduce major changes to how Rizal’s life and works are taught in Philippine schools through digital resources, translations into Filipino and regional languages, updated learning materials, and dedicated support for teacher training.
