Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO24 87

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 eleven (11) national regular
holidays'. Among these, Christmas Day (December 25), Maundy Thursday (Thursday before
Easter), Good Friday (Friday before Easter) and Eid 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.

Notably, despite the estimated ten million members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church
of Christ) in the Philippines and 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.

To recognize the significance of the contribution of the Iglesia ni Cristo to the
country, 1 earlier filed House Resolution No. 92 (“A Resolution Urging His Excellency
President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III to Declare July 27, 2010 as a Special
Non-Working Holiday in Recognition of the 96” Founding Anniversary of the Iglesia
Cristo in the Philippines) last 21 July 2010. This resolution was referred to the Committee on
Revision of Laws, where it has been pending since.

The need to give full recognition to the Iglesia ni Cristo and its members for their
contribution to our national identity, culture, values and development and the realization that

i 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
‘Administrative Code of 1987"


@ resolution would be insufficient to remedy the flaw in the existing law are the main reasons
for the furtherance of this legislation.

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

ROMERO “MIRO*S, QUIMBO
Represgntative
Second Distrft, Marikina City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2487

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,