1s™ CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Honorable LORENZO R. TANADA IIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

September 19, 1987 should remain as a very significant date in the history of our people.
This is the day when unknown assailants robbed the Filipino people of a truly nationalist and
charismatic youth leader- Leandro “Lean” Alejandro, He was shot dead while waiting in a van
outside the BAYAN headquarters where he was then the organization's outgoing secretary
general,

For Lean Alejandro, “the struggle for freedom is the next best thing to actually being
free.” It can be said that he lived his life exactly as his favorite quote went. He spent his youth not
by playing the games and enjoying the lifestyle that the young were usually doing. Instead, he
spent his time organizing and mobilizing discussions and rallies wherein he would speak on the
evils of imperialism and capitalism and the social conditions in the country arising from such. He
was one of those who bravely fought the Marcos dictatorship, hand in hand with luminari
former Senators Lorenzo R. Taitada and Jose W. Diokno.

In the University of the Philippines where he went to college, he was known as the
intellectual rebel. He was a student who did not readily accept what he was handed by professors
during discussions. He objectively analyzed them and easily pointed out misleading information
and claims which are generally accepted as truth.

Above all these, Lean became known for his willingness to serve the people. Unlike some
activists who claim service to the people, Lean was not only for the people, He was with the
people, He had experienced not only their poverty, he struggled with them. He might have died
young, he was only 27 when he was assassinated, but the people found direction, strength and
hope in him,

This bill is inspired by Lean and how he lived his life. Today's youth may not be familiar
with the life and struggle of Lean, but this doesn't diminish the importance and impact of his life
together with all those who struggled against dictatorship. Admittedly, we could pay tribute to
Lean through various ways such as naming a street or a public building after him. But I sincerely
believe that the highest acclaim and recognition the country could offer him is by having a special
day of every year when everyone, even those who didn’t have the chance to meet him when he
was alive but is imbued with enough sense of history, to be reminded of Lean’s legacy of true

public service.
R Toxcslere

LOREXZO R. TANADA III



5 CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

F 202
HOUSE BILL No. ae

Introduced by Honorable LORENZO R. TANADA III

AN ACT
DECLARING SEPTEMBER 19 OF EVERY YEAR AS LEAN
ALEJANDRO DAY IN HONOR OF THE MARTYRDOM OF YOUTH
LEADER LEANDRO L. ALEJANDRO.

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

Section 1. September 19 of every year is hereby declared a Special Working Public
Holiday in the entire country in honor of the martyrdom of youth leader Leandro L.
Alejandro.

Seetion 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved,