What is R.A. 1425 all about? Why it takes too long to become a law?

R.A. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, is a Philippine law that requires all undergraduate students in the Philippines to take a course in the life and works of José Rizal. The law was named after José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, who wrote the novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo", which criticize the Spanish friars and the government.

The law was enacted in 1956, but it took a long time to become a law due to several reasons:

1. Opposition from the Catholic Church: The Catholic Church opposed the law because they believed that Rizal's novels contained subversive ideas that could undermine the Catholic faith. They also argued that it was unconstitutional to force students to read a specific book.

2. Debate in Congress: The law was also heavily debated in Congress. Some lawmakers agreed with the Church's opposition, while others argued that the law was necessary to instill patriotism and nationalism among Filipinos.

3. Public Opinion: Public opinion was also divided on the issue. Some people supported the law, while others opposed it. This led to a long and heated public debate, which further delayed the passage of the law.

4. Compromise: Eventually, a compromise was reached. The law was passed, but it included a provision that allowed parents to request that their children be exempted from reading the novels if they believed that the books were harmful.

These factors contributed to the long process of making R.A. 1425 a law.