Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1325

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE and NERI J.COLMENARES

AN ACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS A “NATIONAL DAY OF
REMEMBRANCE” IN MEMORY OF THE STRUGGLES AND SACRIFICES OF THE
HEROES AND MARTYRS OF THE MARTIAL LAW ERA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill is essentially about remembrance and celebration — the remembrance of a dark era that
brought shame and infamy to the nation, and the celebration of the courage and conviction of
those who refused to submit to tyranny and paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may
relative freedom today.

“The declaration of martial law on September 21, 1972 by former President Ferdinand Marcos
ushered in a period unparalleled in post-war Philippine history. The suppression of democratic
rights and civil liberties, the unbroken pattem of gross human rights violations and the systematic
plunder of the nation’s treasury were its terrible legacy, the effects of which our nation still has to
recover from until today.

Compared to the other military dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s, the Marcos regime was
exceptional by any standard for both the quantity and quality of its violence. While the Marcos’
regime’s tally of 3,257 extrajudicial killings may be far lower than Argentina’s 8,000 missing, this
exceeds the 2,115 extrajudicial deaths under General Augusto Pinochet in Chile and the 266 dead
under the Brazilian junta.

Under the authoritarian rule of Marcos, human rights violations were the apex of a pyramid of
terror ~ 3,257 killed, 35,000 tortured and 70,000 incarcerated. In striking contrast to Argentina,
only 737 Filipinos “disappeared” between 1975 and 1985. However, nearly four times that number
= 2,250 — or 77 percent of all victims were salvaged. Many were tortured, mutilated and dumped
on a roadside for public display to create widespread fear.

In establishing a national day of remembrance and celebration, this bill hopes to impart the lessons
of martial law so the present generations and those yet to come shall never forget what should
never be repeated. ‘The underlying objective is to teach the youth about the difference between
dictatorship and democracy, between oppression and freedom, between right and wrong,


‘This bill further secks to underscore the continuing struggle for justice of the victims of human
fights violations during the Marcos era. Its authors hope that by taking the necessary steps toward
redressing these gross violations, the long-overdue process for remembering, for recording and for
atoning can be established so that the nation can come to terms with the past.

In

-w of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is eamestly sought.

Approved,

Rep. CARLOS Seat

‘T. ZARATE

Bayan Muna Parby-List Bayan Muna Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1325

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps. NERI JAVIER COLMENARES and CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE,

AN ACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 21 OF EVERY YEAR AS A “NATIONAL DAY OF
REMEMBRANCE” IN MEMORY OF THE STRUGGLES AND SACRIFICES OF THE
HEROES AND MARTYRS OF THE MARTIAL LAW ERA

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 “National Day of Remembrance Act” in memory of
the Filipino heroes and martyrs who stood up to the tyranny of the martial law regime under
President Ferdinand E. Marcos from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and whose
struggles and sacrifices have enabled us to live in freedom today.

SECTION 2. In order to recognize the struggles and sacrifices of the heroes and martyrs of the
‘martial law era, foster deep respect for civil liberties and democratic institutions, instill awareness
about the difference between dictatorship and democracy, between oppression and freedom,
between right and wrong, and to impart the lessons of martial law so the present generations and
those yet to come shall never forget what should never be repeated, September 21 of every year is
hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as the “National Day of Remembrance.”

SECTION 3. Government offices, schools, and other agencies and establishments in both the
public and private sectors shall celebrate this observance with appropriate activities, ceremonies
and programs that demonstrate the national commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights
and justice and that pay due homage to the heroes and martyrs of the martial law era.

‘The Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, National Historical Institute,
Philippine Information Agency, the premier state schools and universities, and the other
appropriate agencies of the government, shall take the lead in establishing multifarious prominent
activities and productions across the country in this regard.

SECTION 4. To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all heads of
government and private facilities, offices and instrumentalities shall encourage and afford
sufficient time and opportunities for their employees, personnel or students to engage and
participate in any activity to mark the “National Day of Remembrance.”

SECTION 5. Symbolic reparation through the erection of memorials, monuments and
3


tombstones, and renaming of public places named after the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his
family shall be undertaken.

SECTION 6. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the
budgets of the Commission oa Human Rights and Department of Education under the General
‘Appropriations Act of the year following the enactment of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least wo
(@ newspapers of general circulation.

Approve,