NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
Senate Bill No. I <3 o 1
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Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9492"
Explanatory Note
Holidays are integral in order to honor and commemorate special events or 
traditions with cultural or religious significance. The Philippines celebrates 18 national 
holidays a year, 4 of which are considered "special non-working holidays". These 
aforementioned days may at times fall on a weekend making them feel less celebratory 
for individuals. Additionally, the increase in the number of long weekends can help 
reduce stress, prevent burnout, and promote work-life balance for both employees 
and students by allowing them to decompress and spend time with their family and 
friends.
With that being said, this bill aims to amend the existing Republic Act 9492 
which permits certain movable holidays to be observed on a Monday with the purpose 
of allowing long weekends during the year. Originally, this law was passed in 2007 
under the presidency of Gloria MacapagaI-Arroyo who sought to boost domestic 
tourism in the country. However, the term of President Benigno Aquino III saw the 
end of the Arroyo administration's practice of moving holidays to the nearest Monday 
with the release of Proclamation 84.


This bill, therefore, proposes to follow the original intent of Republic Act 9492, 
and every first Monday of December the President shall issue a proclamation on the 
specific dates that shall be declared as a non-working day for the following year.
In view of the foregoing, the urgent passing of this
Raffy T. Tuffo
\ Senate/


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
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of tl)f i&ftsctarp
23 JIN 11 P5--41
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1651
mstmwt.
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
"AN ACT RATIONALIZING THE CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9492"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines, in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "'Holiday Act of2023"
Sec 2. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 9492 is hereby amended to read as 
foiiows:
"SEC. 26. Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days. — The following 
regular holidays and special days shall be observed in the country:
a) Regular Holidays:
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New Year's Day - January 1
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ii)
Maudy Thursday - Movable Date
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iii)
Good Friday - Movabie Date
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iv)
Eidul Fitr - Movabie Date
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V)
Eidul Adha - Movable Date
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Vi)
Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan and Corregidor Day) - Monday
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nearest April 9
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vii)
Labor Day - Monday nearest May 1
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viii)
Independence Day - Monday nearest June 12
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ix)
National Heroes Day - Last Monday of August
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X)
Bonifacio Day - Monday nearest November 30
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xi)
Christmas Day - December 25
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xii)
Rizal Day - Monday nearest December 30


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b) Nationwide Special Holidays
i) 
Chinese New Year - Movable Date
ii) 
EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary - Monday 
nearest February 25
iii) 
Ninoy Aquino Day - Monday nearest August 21
iv) 
All Saint's Day - November 1
v) 
Last day of the Year - December 31
c) In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be 
observed on the Monday of that week. If the holiday falls on a 
Saturday or Sunday/ it will be observed on the following 
Monday.
Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation on the 
first Monday of December [at least six months prior to the holiday concorncd,] the 
specific dates that shall be declared as a nonworking day for the following year, in
accordance with the provisions of this law.
Sec 3. Repealing Clause - All laws, orders presidential issuances, rules and 
regulations or part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.
Sec 4. Effectivity-This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in 
the Philippines.
Approved,