SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S,B, NO, 412 
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'13 
JUL -3 1"'6 :30 
Introduced by SENATOR FERDINAND R, MARCOS, JR, 
Explanatory Note 
December 2011 will forever be remembered as probably the most 
tragic and destructive Christmas season in Philippine history, since it was 
the month when Typhoon Sendong (international code name: Washi) 
visited the country and caused tremendous losses of lives and damage to 
property and environment, most especially in the cities of Cagayan de 
Oro and lligan, 
However, the same month will also be remembered as the time 
when Filipinos have united in giving aid and comfort and in alleviating the 
sufferings of their countrymen who fell victims to the wrath of Sendong, 
Not to be disregarded and forgotten was the fact that governments, 
institutions and individuals, named and anonymous, from around the 
world have also joined in commiserating with Filipinos and have graciously 
sent unsolicited donations and other forms of aid to the Philippine 
Government. 
These sincere and intentional acts of boyonihon, generosity, 
magnanimity and solidarity were in heartwarming display throughout the 
Christmas season and even after Christmas Day-consistent with and true 
to the spirit and essence of the Christmas tradition, which Filipinos have 
been traditionally celebrating as a season of giving and goodwill, 
Considering the phenomenon of generosity in the face of tragedy 
that we have witnessed last December 2011, there is a need to install a 
historical cornerstone in our national calendar whereby Filipinos may not 
only remember and commemorate, but also continually avow, their 
generosity and magnanimity towards their countrymen, especially in times 
of need, no less during Christmas season, where ordinarily the attention 
and focus are to one's family, relatives and friends, 
Interestingly, in several countries, such as England, Canada, Ireland, 
Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, December 26 is celebrated as a 
public non-working holiday, popularly called as the "The Second 
Christmas Day", "Boxing Day", or "Day of Goodwill", Originating in 
England, "Boxing Day" is believed to date way back to the Middle Ages 
where it has been practiced that gifts and alms, which are placed in 
boxes outside churches on Christmas day, are distributed to the poor a 
day after Christmas, Also, employers also give Christmas boxes to their 
workers who are allowed to go home to their families only after Christmas 
day, since they are required to work on Christmas day, 


The significance of the culture of sharing to strangers witnessed in 
December 2011 
in our nation's history, coupled with the cultural 
significance of the "day after Christmas" in other countries, serves as 
sufficient reason to elevate December 26 as a statutory special non-
working holiday. There is also the practical reason to declare it as such, to 
give ample time for our citizens to travel and prepare for work on the next 
working day, since more often than not they can only conveniently wind 
up their holiday celebrations by Christmas day's end. 
In view of thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested . 
• 
R. MARCOS, JR 


(, 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO, 412 
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'13 
JUL -3 P 6 :30 
Introduced by Senator FERDINAND R, MARCOS. JR, 
AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 26 OF EVERY YEAR AS A NATIONAL SPECIAL 
NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, TO BE KNOWN AS "FILIPINO DAY OF GOODWILL" 
OR "BOXING DAY" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of 
the Philippines hCongress Assembled: 
. 
SECTION 1, Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Day of Goodwill 
Act of 2013," 
SECTION 2, Filipino Day of Goodwill, - December 26 of every year is 
hereby declared as a national special non-working holiday, to be called 
"Day of Goodwill", or the Philippines' version of "Boxing Day", which is a 
public holiday being celebrated by other countries around the world, 
SECTION 3, Repealing Clause, -
All laws, decrees, charters, 
executive 
orders, 
administrative 
orders, 
proclamations, 
rules 
and 
regulations, or parts thereof insofar as they are inconsistent with the 
prOVisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly, 
SECTION 4, Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after completion of publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper 
of general circulation, 
Approved,