\
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
s O . ! i : r  c l l ‘'0
SENATE
S. No. 
4 8 1
’19 
JUL 15 AlO '45
RECcI’ L L 't
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 27 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NATIONAL NON­
WORKING 
HOLIDAY 
IN 
COMMEMORATION 
OF 
THE 
FOUNDING 
ANNIVERSARY OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN THE PHILIPPINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is a Christian religion founded in the Philippines by 
Brother Felix Y. Manalo when it established its first congregation in Punta, Sta. Ana, 
Manila. On July 27, 1914, the INC was registered with the Philippine government. 
Brother Felix Manalo became the first Executive Minister who soon trained ministers 
to assist him in the propagation of the Church.
The first ecclesiastical district was created in Pampanga ten years after its 
foundation, while its first worship outside the Philippines was held in Honolulu,
Hawaii, USA in July 1968. This signaled the beginnings of its expansion all over the 
world.
After a century since its foundation, the INC membership now comprises 110 
nationalities living in 100 countries and territories in all the continents in the world. 
Aside from the United States of America where it has a strong presence, the Church 
also has existing active congregations in Cuba, Mexico, Aruba, England, Italy, Israel, 
South Africa and the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, 
Vietnam, and Malaysia, among other nations.


In the Philippines, the INC provides religious services through the 104 
ecclesiastical districts all over the country. It is the third largest religion in the 
country after the Roman Catholic Church and Islam.
The INC faith is anchored on Jesus Christ as depicted in the Holy Bible, which 
the members integrate in their day-to-day lives. The responsibility for the Church 
teachings rests in a centralized administration that instills discipline and unity of faith 
and practice in accordance with the Bible and Church rules.
The INC emphasizes respect for human authority or the duly constituted 
government and directs its members to obey the laws. The INC promotes peace and 
order by teaching its members to obey rules and regulations and restricts them from 
joining organizations and unions that resort to violence and extra-judicial means to 
advance its causes.1
This bill seeks to declare the INC foundation every July 27 of each year as a 
special non-working public holiday to allow the millions of its members, together 
with the Filipino people, to celebrate in a more appropriate manner this milestone in 
the Church's history.
This holiday wili recognize the contributions of the INC in nurturing the faith 
of the people as well as its part in fostering nation-building. This celebration will 
allow the members and our countrymen to draw inspiration from the faith and how it 
has developed them into good citizens of the country.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is requested.
/FMPC
1 Source of data on the history of the INC and its core values: www.incmedia,org


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•. y 
fif ti
SENATE
S. No. 
4 8 1
'19 
JUL 15 
.'^10:45
RtCb.'.U
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
AN ACT
DECLARING JULY 27 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NATIONAL NON­
WORKING 
HOLIDAY 
IN 
COMMEMORATION 
OF 
THE 
FOUNDING 
ANNIVERSARY OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Section 1. The twenty seventh (27th) day of July of every year is hereby 
declared a special national non-working holiday in commemoration of the founding 
anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. — Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order 
No. 292, as amended, pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9645 and all other 
laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 3. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,