Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

6312

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by the Honorable Representatives ALFREDO A. GARBIN, JR.,
ANICETO “JOHN” D. BERTIZ Ill, ORESTES T. SALON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines remains the bastion of Christianity in Asia and despite the various
denominations of the Christian faith in our country, it has adhered to the teachings of
the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. The Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments) is accepted
as the inspired, infallible and revealed word of the Almighty God.

The Holy Bible tells us in the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 23 to celebrate the Feasts of
the Lord. These Feasts are not Jewish Feasts, but as clearly stated in the Scriptures,
they are set apart as the Lord’s Feasts, His appointed times. The Almighty God
called His Feasts, holy convocations which are to be observed in all generations.
These Feasts are: 1) Feast of the Passover, 2) Feast of Unleavened Bread, 3) Feast
of First Fruits or Resurrection, 4) Feast of Pentecost, 5) Feast of Trumpets, 6) Feast
of Atonement, and 7) Feast of Tabernacles.

These appointed times were designed by the Almighty God as a way of making His
redemptive plan known to mankind. Each of these holy convocations conveys a
profound message pointing to the death, burial, resurrection and the second coming
of our Lord Jesus, our Messiah.

Our nation is already observing the first three Feasts namely, Passover, Unleavened
Bread and First Fruits or Resurrection during the Lenten Season although the date of
celebration does not exactly coincide with the date these Feasts are celebrated on
the Biblical calendar. This bill seeks to align the celebration of these first three
Feasts with the date they occurred in the Bible. As all of these Feasts are ordained in
the Holy Scriptures, the recognition of the remaining four Feasts, namely: Feast of
Pentecost; Feast of Trumpets; Feast of Atonement; and the Feast of Tabernacles as
national holiday would be in complete reverence and obedience to the words of our
Almighty God.


The Feast of Pentecost commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mt.
Sinai (Exodus 24) and the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the believers of
the Messiah in the Book of Acts Chapter 2;

The Feast of Trumpets can be found in the Book of Leviticus, 23:24 where the
blowing of the trumpets was ordained to commemorate the creation of the universe,
the earth and of all mankind by the Almighty God as the King and Creator.

The Feast of Atonement is a national day of repentance that is observed thru
confession of sins, fasting and prayer (Leviticus 23:26); and

The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God's faithfulness and compassion for His
people. It is observed by building a tent or sukkah, a reminder of God's provision and
care, a symbol that we are temporary dwellers here on earth (Leviticus 23:42);

The Almighty God promises blessings to those who are careful to observe His
commandments and the observance of these Feasts is a humble expression of our
obedience and submission to the will of our Almighty God which will strengthen our
faith in Him.

The celebration of these Feasts shall be in accordance with the Biblical calendar as
follows: Feast of Passover on the 14% day of the First Month; the Feast of
Unleavened Bread on the 15" and 22 days of the First Month; Feast of First Fruits
‘on the 16" day of the First Month; Feast of Pentecost on the 6"" day of the Third
month; Feast of Trumpets on the 1° day of the Seventh month; Feast of Atonement
‘on the 10" day of the Seventh month; and the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15" and
22" days of the Seventh month of the Biblical calendar.

This bill also seeks to enhance our awareness of the Judeo-Christian contribution in
national development.

In view of the foregoit ¥ he approval of this bill is most earnestly requested.
ae Ml

ORESTES T. SALON



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

6312
HOUSE BILL NO.__—

Introduced by the Honorable Representatives ALFREDO A. GARBIN, JR.,
ANICETO “JOHN” D. BERTIZ Ill, ORESTES T. SALON

AN ACT DECLARING THE FEASTS OF THE LORD AS SPECIAL NON-WORKING
HOLIDAYS IN RECOGNITION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JUDEO CHRISTIAN
VALUES IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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

SECTION 1. The Biblical Feasts of the Lord are hereby declared special non-
working holidays in recognition of the Judeo-Christian values in national
development. These Biblical Feasts are designed by the Almighty God as a way of
making His redemptive plan known to mankind to inspire those who believe in Him to
value human life, live a righteous life with love of God and one’s neighbor, respect
for parents, care for less fortunate, observance of rule of law and fair play as well as
accountability and integrity which are essentials in good governance.

The celebrations of the Biblical Feasts of the Lord shall be determined in
accordance with the Jewish Calendar and their corresponding date in the Gregorian
calendar.

SEC. 2. The implementation of this Act shall be under the supervision of the
Office of the President's Task Force on Interreligious and Intercultural Concerns and
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of
this Act.


SEC.3. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rules and regulation, contrary to or inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act, is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,