HOUSE °F QEPRESENTATIVE

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX S$;

HOUSE BILL NO. 196

Introduced by HONORABLE ROMERO "MIRO" S. QUIMBO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to declare July 27 of every year as a special national non-
working holiday in the Philippines.

Currently, our country recognizes and celebrates cleven (11) national regular
holidays! Among these, Christmas Day (December 25), Maundy Thursday
(Thursday before Easter), Good Friday (Friday before Easter) and Bid ul-Fitr (end of
Ramadan) were declared as such not only because of their religious significance
but in recognition of the contributions of these faiths and their members to our
national identity, culture, values and development.

Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), with membership of more than five
percent (5%) of the country’s population, is considered to be the third largest
religious order, having around 4,800 INC churches and local congregations.
Moreover, the INC has members in around 100 countries across the globe.?
Notably, despite their immeasurable contributions to the nation and the enactment
of Republic Act No. 9645, July 27, the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo
remains to be recognized merely as special national working holiday. As such, the
law is remiss in providing the Iglesia ni Cristo and its members the appropriate
acknowledgment and recognition they deserve.

‘ Republic Act No. 9492 or “An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays Amending for

the purpose Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as "The
ninistrative Code of 1987"

‘MAP: Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines.” Rappler website, July 26, 2014

“<http://www rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/6439 -map-iglesia-ni-cristo-population-philippines, accessed June 20,
2016>

* Tid


Through this bill, it is hoped that we can give full recognition to the Iglesia ni
Cristo and its members for their contribution to our national identity, culture,
values and development

In view thereof, the expedient approval of this bill is strongly recommended.



© @ VaMseNne

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

36

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE ROMERO "MIRO" S. QUIMBO

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO, 9645, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF IGLESIA NI
CRISTO ACT”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9645, otherwise known as the
“Commemoration of the Founding Anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo Act” is hereby

amended to read as follows:

“Sec 3, National Holdiay, ~ July 27 of every year is hereby declared as
a special national (working) NON-WORKING holiday in commemoration of
the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines.”

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations,
ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEcTion 3. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,