Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
 First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO  
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos 
AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 19 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING 
HOLIDAY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND LODGE 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
“Freemasonry” or “Masonry” refers to the civic movement that promotes good 
works and defines itself as the universal morality suitable to all men regardless of race 
and creed. It is not a religion nor a secret society. It teaches its members to practice 
charity and benevolence, to protect chastity, to respect the ties of blood and friendship, 
to adopt the principles and revere the ordinances of religion, to assist the feeble, guide 
the blind, raise up the downtrodden, shelter the orphan, guard the altar, support the 
government, inculcate morality, promote learning, love man, fear God, implore his 
mercy, and hope for happiness. A “freemason” or “mason” is expected to live by the 
following virtues: kindness in one’s home, honesty in business, courtesy in society, 
fairness in work and understanding and concern for the unfortunate. 1 
Notable Filipino Freemasons include Jose P. Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano 
Lopes Jaena, Apolinario Mabini and Emilio Aguinaldo. It is not underscored in our 
history that many of the country’s revolutionary heroes were Freemasons.  
Freemasonry was in existence in the Philippines as early as 1856 but it was on 
December 19, 1912, that The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons of the Philippines (The Grand Lodge of the Philippines) was established.  
To promote the virtues of Freemasonry and recognize the contribution of Filipino 
freemasons in Philippine history and society, this bill seeks to declare December 19 of 
every year as a special working holiday in commemoration of the establishment of the 
Grand Lodge of the Philippines.  
It is for the foregoing premises that the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. “What is 
Freemasonry?”. https://grandlodge.ph/freemasonry   
February 28, 2023
3:42 pm
7338


ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS 
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
 First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________ 
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO  
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos 
AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 19 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING 
HOLIDAY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “National Masonic Day Act.” 
SECTION 2. December 19 of every year is hereby declared as the “National 
Masonic Day”, which shall be a special working holiday in the entire country to 
commemorate the establishment of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons of the Philippines on December 19, 1912, in Manila.  
SECTION 3. The National Historical Commission shall plan and implement the 
activities in commemoration of the National Masonic Day and ensure that the 
significance of the historical event will continue to inspire and instill a sense of 
nationalism for the rich and noble history of the Filipino nation.  
SECTION 4. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the same 
shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions hereof. 
SECTION 5. All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances or portions thereof which 
are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
Approved, 
7338