SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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*17 JUL 26 P 6 *12
SENATE
S. B. No. 1 5 2 5
RECi Hi . :
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY 23 OF EVERY YEAR A 
SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO 
COMMEMORATE THE DECLARATION OF THE FIRST 
PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On January 23, 1899, the Philippine Republic was inaugurated at 
Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan. This day was marked by the reading of 
the whole Constitution by Secretary Ocampo; the proclamation of the 
Republic of the Philippines by Congress President Paterno; the proclamation 
of Aguinaldo as the elected President of the new Republic: and speeches by 
Aguinaldo and Paterno.1
The First Philippine Republic catapulted the Filipino nation onto the 
world’s consciousness, carving not only a place among the family of nations, 
but also a distinct niche as the First Republic in Asia. Indeed, the 
establishment of the First Philippine Republic proved that Filipinos were 
capable of self-rule and deserved their longed-for-freedom after more than 
300 years of bondage from Spanish rule.2
It is therefore important to commemorate January 23 of every year as 
the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic to remind us of the beginning 
of Filipino Democracy and the fight towards our freedom.
SENATOR JOEL VILl
VILLANUEVA
1 http://nhcp.gov.ph/the-first-philippine-republic/ (Date Accessed last July 25, 2017)
Ibid


a
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1525
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* 1 
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r'lflf!- ol »■>' 
’' ' ' T
'17 JUL26 P6-12
RECL'.Vi t  b !..
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
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AN ACT DECLARING JANUARY 23 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL 
WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO 
COMMEMORATE THE DECLARATION OF THE FIRST PHILIPPINE
REPUBLIC
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “The First Philippine Republic 
Day".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. January 23 of every year is hereby declared as “The 
First Philippine Republic Day” which shall be a special working holiday in the entire 
country to commemorate the declaration of the First Philippine Republic on January 
23, 1899, held at the Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Province of Bulacan.
SEC. 3. Lead Agency. The National Historical Commission, in coordination with the 
Department of Education, shall plan and implement activities for “The First Philippine 
Republic Day” and ensure that the significance of this historical event shall continue 
to inspire Filipinos.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected 
shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or part thereof deemed inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved.