FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. N03112 
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: Wash i) 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 IIlgan. 
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, trom 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 bayanihan, 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 commemomte, 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 practised 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 wtnd up their holiday celebrations by Christmas day's end. 
In view of thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
R. fIIIARCOS, JR 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL No3112 
--
'1? 
.IAN JU 
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 in Congress Assembled. 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Day of GoodWill Act of 
2012." 
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 
Goodwil/", 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 Gazelle or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
Approved,