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Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 4126

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

Republic Act No. 9645, also known as the Commemoration of the Founding
Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo Act, currently designates July 27 as a Special
National Working Holiday. This date commemorates the founding anniversary of
the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in the Philippines, marking the significant occasion in
1914 when Felix Manalo officially registered the INC as a religious organization.
While we acknowledge the INC's profound historical, religious and cultural impact
‘on our nation, its "working holiday" status presents an inherent limitation: it does
not fully enable the substantial number of INC adherents to adequately observe
and reflect upon the significance of this important day by allowing them sufficient
time off their work.

This proposed amendment seeks to elevate the observance of July 27 by
declaring it a special national non-working holiday. Declaring it a non-working
holiday aligns with the established practice in the Philippines, where holidays,
having historical, religious and cultural significance, are designated as non-working
to allow for their proper observance.

Providing a non-working day for our fellow brothers and sisters belonging to
the INC, also offers a more profound and fitting acknowledgment of the INC's
historical establishment and its enduring contributions to Philippine society. It also
brings the observance of this significant event to the consciousness of the Filipino
people, in line with other major non-working holidays, fostering consistency in our
national holiday framework and demonstrating due respect for the religious
observances of our citizens.

It represents a progressive step toward ensuring the INC community can
appropriately commemorate events of profound importance to their faith and
identity

This proposed measure is the culmination of a consistent legislative effort,
directly informed by similar bills filed in the 17th, 18th, and 19th Congresses.

Notably, it has already reached its third and final reading and been transmitted to
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the Senate in previous legislative sessions. This sustained pursuit underscores the
broad support for the bill, including that of legislators Senators Jinggoy Estrada,
Ramon Revilla Jr., and Robinhood Padilla, alongside numerous representatives
from the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

4126

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

AN ACT DECLARING JULY 27 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NATIONAL
NON-WORKING HOLIDAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 9645, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “COMMEMORATION OF THE
FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO ACT"

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

SECTION 1. Amendment to Section 3 of Act No. 9645. The said section is
hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 3. National Holiday. - July 27 of every year is hereby
declared as a special national non-working holiday in
commemoration of the founding anniversary of the iglesia ni
Cristo in the Philippines."

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or
issuances, executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, or
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,