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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 6777

Introduced by
Honorable Francis Gerald A. Abaya, Honorable Strike B. Revilla,
Honorable Alex L. Advincula, Honorable Jennifer Austria-Barzaga,
Honorable Roy M. Loyola, Honorab!

and Honorable Abraham N. Tol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally filed as House Bill No. 339 introduced by Honorable
Joseph Emilio A. Abaya during the Fourteenth Congress.

March 22, 1869 is a landmark date in the Philippine history. On this momentous
day, a hero was born. His name was Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy — the man who rallied
the Filipino people to revolt against the Spanish colonizers, and who eventually
became the first President of the Philippine Republic.

Yet, in spite of his countless triumphs and tremendous sacrifices for this country
and its people, his place in the country’s pantheon remains uncertain. Sad to say, he
was forgotten by several generations of Filipinos who now enjoy the liberty that he so
zealously fought for. This fact was recognized by then Senate President Ferdinand
Marcos in a eulogy that he delivered at the necrological services for the late Aguinaldo.
“Too long Emilio Aguinaldo stayed with us almost unhonored and unsung. He had
lived to see the nation commemorate the centenaries of the birth of Rizal, Bonifacio,
Mabini, and Luna. Monuments rose to men who fought with him like Gregorio del Pilar
and Luna. But nota single bust of the revolutionary leader appeared in public plazas.”

Thus, it is but a fitting tribute to a great leader and to a national hero that the
anniversary of his birth be commemorated by the entire Filipino nation every year.
Towards this end, this bill seeks to declare March 22 of every year as Aguinaldo Day
throughout the country and a special non-working holiday in the Province of Cavite.
This will enable the Filipino people to honor their fallen hero on his birth anniversary
and to give the proper recognition due him. For indeed, the birth of General Emilio
Aguinaldo on March 22, 1869 also made possible the birth of an independent Filipino
nation twenty-nine years later.


In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Cris —N..

HON. STRIKE B. REVILLA HON. L{

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. ADVINCULA HON. ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO

A. FERRER IV

HON. JENNI ISTRIA-BARZAGA


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

Seventeenth Congress
Second Regui Session

6777

House Bill No.

Introduced by
Honorable Francis Gerald A. Abaya, Honorable Strike B. Revilla,
Honorable Alex L. Advincula, Honorable Jennifer Austria-Barzaga,
Honorable Roy M. Loyola, Honorable Luis A. Ferrer IV
and Honorable Abraham N. Tolentino

AN ACT DECLARING MARCH 22 OF EVERY YEAR AS AGUINALDO DAY
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY
IN THE PROVINCE OF CAVITE

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

SECTION. 1. March 22 of every year is hereby declared as Aguinaldo Day
throughout the country and a special non-working holiday in the Province of Cavite in
order to commemorate the birth anniversary of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

SECTION. 2. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations
and/or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed accordingly.

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

Approved,