Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 4047

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Gen. Antonio Luna, the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Revolutionary Army for 134 days
during the Philippine-American War, has been described by historians as the most
brilliant and capable of the Filipino generals at the time.

President Ferdinand Marcos, on the occasion of Luna’s 1024 birth anniversary in 1968,
credited Luna for bringing “guerrilla warfare” into play way ahead of China’s Mao
Zedong and Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap.

The Filipino revolutionary leader and statesman Apolinario Mabini said of Luna: "If he
was sometimes hasty and even cruel in his resolution, it was because the army had been
brought to a desperate situation by the demoralization of the soldiers and the lack of
ammunitions: nothing but action of rash courage and extraordinary energy could hinder
its dissolution."

Frederick Funston, a U.S. Army colonel during the Philippine-American War who was
promoted to brigadier general for cleverly engineering the capture of Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela, and who later rose to major general, called Luna the
“ablest and most aggressive leader of the Filipino Republic.”

James Franklin Bell, a U.S. Army captain who was awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor for
action during the Philippine-American War, and who later also rose to major general,
said Luna “was the only general the Filipino army had.”

In his last will and testament, dated March 31, 1899, Luna wrote: “1. I leave whatever I
have to my mother. 2. If they will kill me, wrap me in a Filipino flag with all the clothing
with which I was dressed when killed, and bury me in the ground. 3. I wish to state freely
that | would die willingly for my country, for our independence, without thereby looking
for death.” (With credit to historian Ambeth R. Ocampo)

Luna indisputably deserves greater recognition for his patriotism and military prowess.

Thus, to honor and accord “The Fiery General” the nobler distinction and prominence
that he rightfully deserves, this Bill seeks to change the name of Camp General Emilio
Aguinaldo, the military headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, into Camp
General Antonio Luna.

This Bill in no way seeks to reduce Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines, and
the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Revolutionary Army after Luna’s assassination, who
has been fittingly honored over the years, especially with the 41.4-kilometer Emilio
‘Aguinaldo Highway, also known as the Cavite-Batangas Road and Manila West Road,
the four-to-six lane network of primary and secondary highways passing through the
busiest towns and cities of Cavite


This Bill proposes to amend Republic Act No. 4434, An Act Changing the Name of Camp
Frank Murphy to Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, which the Philippine Congress
approved on June 19, 1965.

‘This Bill is expected to rouse all Filipinos, especially our soldiers across the three military
branches - the Army, the Air Force and the Navy - to emulate and live up to Luna’s
positive qualities, particularly his strong love of country and exceptional military skills.

‘The approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

JOHNNY T. P


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 4047

Introduced by: Representative JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL

AN ACT CHANGING THE NAME OF CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO-
INTO CAMP GENERAL ANTONIO LUNA

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

SECTION 1. Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo shall hereafter be known and referred to.
as Camp General Antonio Luna.

SECTION 2. Camp Antonio Luna in the Municipality of Limay in the Province of Bataan,
which is home to the Office of the Director of the Government Arsenal under the
Department of Defense, shall hereafter be known and referred to as Camp Emilio
Aguinaldo.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.