SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL n P J : i 1 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
8 {) B 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Religious freedom in the Philippines promoted the growth of many 
religious groups in the country. 
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is one of these 
groups. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) was founded on July 27, 1914 by its current 
leader's father Felix Manalo. The Iglesia's first church in the country was located 
in Punta, Manila's Santa Ana district after its first converts were baptized in the 
nearby Pasig River. 
It has several million members and has expanded 
considerably to countries in all continents. By some accounts, it is considered 
the second largest formal religion in the Philippines after Catholicism. 
The Iglesia ni Cristo rapidly grew from one church building in Sampaloc, 
Manila to hundreds of churches around the world and has emerged strong in the 
United States, Canada, England, Germany, Hawaii, Guam and Hong Kong. This 
is clearly a strong testament not only to the INC's growth as a religious sector in 
our society but a manifestation of the resilience of the Filipinos' faith. 
The Iglesia ni Cristo uses vernacular languages in teaching and preaching 
the Gospel. 
Its law-abiding, disciplined leadership and members have made 
Iglesia ni Cristo a role model for other religious organizations. Attending not only 
to the religious needs of its flock, Iglesia ni Cristo also looks after their members' 
economic and physical well being through socio-economic projects, such as job 
placements, housing, and education. 
The intention of this bill is to declare the 2ih day of July of every year as a 
national holiday in observance of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo 
(INC). 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 8 G 8 
) 
) 
) 
"I} 
JUL 17 ['J :11 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
DECLARING THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF JULY OF EVERY YEAR A 
SPECIAL NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF THE FOUNDING 
ANNIVERSARY OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO (INC) AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The twenty-seventh (2th) days of July every year is hereby 
declared a special national holiday for the observance of the founding 
anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). 
SEC 2. Section 26, Chapter 7 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise 
known as the Revised Administrative Code of 1987, is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"SEC. 26. Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days. -
(1) Unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation, the 
following regular holidays and special days shall be observed in the 
country: 
a. Regular Holidays 
New Year's Day 
January 1 
Maundy Thursday 
Movable Date 
Good Friday 
Movable Date 
Eidul Fitr 
Movable Date 
Amw ng Kagitingan 
April 9 
(Bataan and Corregidor Day) 
Labor Day 
May 1 
Independence Day 
June 12 
INC FOUNDATION DAY -
JULY 27 
National Heroes Day 
Last Day of August 
Bonifacio Day 
November 30 
Christmas Day 
December 25 
Rizal Day 
December 30 


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b. Nationwide Special Holidays 
All Saints' Day 
Last Day of the Year 
November 1 
December 31 
Provided, however, That Eidul Fitr shall be celebrated as a regional 
holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao." 
SEC 3. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC 4. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,