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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _____ 
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Introduced by  
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. FRANCE L. CASTRO,  
GABRIELA Women’s Party Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS,  
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL 
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AN ACT 
DECLARING ANDRES BONIFACIO AS THE NATIONAL HERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
With nationalist films like “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” and “Heneral Luna” 
enjoying numerous awards and millions of viewers, patriotism has been rekindled in 
the hearts of our people.  We must seize this opportunity to further educate the youth 
on our true history and heritage, especially now that there are conscious efforts from 
some quarters, even top officials, to rewrite our history and present their own versions—
products of historical denialism—to promote their self-serving interests. 
In a time when the nation is challenged by foreign intervention, both by force 
and by deceit, by the US and China, the need for a national symbol who would represent 
patriotism, nationalism, and the resolve to fight against any foreign intervention and 
control becomes a vital element in nation-building. 
However, there has never been a legislation declaring one a national hero.  
Instead there were only a number of proclamations that gave recognition and honor to 
a few historical figures for their contribution to society, the most famous of whom are 
Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. 
A Decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on December 20, 1898 declared 
December 30 of every year a day of national mourning in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal and 
other victims of the Philippine Revolution.  The Taft Commission, the legislative body 
created by the American government, named a Province after Rizal to also honor him.  
Meanwhile, it was the Philippine Legislature through Act 2964 issued on February 16, 
August 12, 2022
10:27 am
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1921 that made November 30 of each year a legal holiday to commemorate the birth of 
Andres Bonifacio.  It also issued Act 2760 in 1918 authorizing the erection of a 
monument to the memory of Bonifacio. 
 
In 1993, a National Heroes Committee was created through Executive Order 75 
to “study, evaluate and recommend Filipino national personages and heroes in due 
recognition of their  sterling character and remarkable achievements for the country.” 
 
Soon, after a series of meetings, the Committee has come up with a list of 
candidates to become the National Hero.  But since 1995, when the Committee Report 
was submitted to the then-Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), there 
has been no action yet.  Some opinions say that deciding on a name might spur debates 
as to some historical controversies about the lives of our heroes. 
 
It has long been a debate in schools and other venues of learning, and even among 
ordinary Filipinos, to whom between Rizal and Bonifacio must the title National Hero 
attach.  A lot has also been said in favor or against both heroes.  It is also a fact that both 
are heroes in their own respective right. 
 
It is true that Jose Rizal through his writings was able to put across the need for 
changes in the country that was dominated  by Spanish colonial power.  His writings 
influenced intellectuals who actively participated in the fight for reforms in society. 
 
Andres Bonifacio, on the other hand, was an intellectual impassioned by the need 
to change the oppressive and exploitative system not merely by writing about it but also 
by acting on it.  Thus, he organized the Katipunero’s KKK. 
 
The difference, insofar as contribution to society is concerned, lies in the ability 
of Bonifacio to translate Rizal’s writings into the language understood by the Filipino 
masses and to transform and develop them into practice.  Because of his actual 
participation in the KKK, Bonifacio was able to organize and mobilize thousands of 
Katipuneros in a revolution that ended the Spanish colonization and led to a Filipino 
nation’s independence. 
 
Bonifacio’s heroism inspires in us the patriotism and nationalism that is resolute 
and uncompromising, which the people and especially the youth must learn and imbibe. 
 
Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Neri Colmenares filed this Bill during the 16th 
Congress as House Bill 3431.  It was then refiled during the 17th and 18th Congresses as 
HBs 3376 and 2171, respectively.  In commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of 
Andres Bonifacio on November 30, 2022, the passage of this Bill is earnestly sought.  
 
 
 
 
 


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________________________________ 
Rep. FRANCE L. CASTRO 
ACT Teachers Party-List 
________________________________ 
Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS 
GABRIELA Women’s Party 
________________________________ 
Rep. RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL 
KABATAAN Party-List 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _____ 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Introduced by  
ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. FRANCE L. CASTRO,  
GABRIELA Women’s Party Rep. ARLENE D. BROSAS,  
and KABATAAN Party-List Rep. RAOUL DANNIEL A. MANUEL 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
DECLARING ANDRES BONIFACIO AS THE NATIONAL HERO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Andres Bonifacio Act of 2022.” 
SEC. 2. Andres Bonifacio is hereby declared as the National Hero. 
SEC. 3. The National Historical Commission the Philippines (NHCP), as lead agency 
in the implementation of this Act, shall craft and execute pertinent policies under its 
mandate for the effective implementation of this Act. 
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) shall likewise make the necessary policies to ensure that education 
on the life and heroism of Bonifacio be integrated into the basic education and tertiary 
education curricula, that history books be corrected and updated, and that pertinent 
information be disseminated. 
SEC. 4. The Department of Public Works and Highways, in coordination with the 
respective Local Government Units, shall erect an Andres Bonifacio bust in every 
Provincial, City, or Municipal plaza nationwide.  
SEC. 5. Funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be drawn from the 
yearly appropriations of the agencies concerned. 
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SEC. 6. Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the NHCP shall, in 
consultation with the DepEd, CHED, and DPWH, formulate the rules and regulations 
implementing the provisions of this Act. 
  
SEC. 7. All laws, executive and administrative orders or parts thereof, inconsistent with 
any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,