NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1769
scuau
of tiif c dnn>
23 JAN 25 P3 55
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
TO DESIGNATE THE SIXTH (6TH) DAY OF JANUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS A 
SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS TANDANG SORA DAY, 
MANDATING CONCERNED AGENCIES TO CONDUCT EVENTS DURING ITS 
OBSERVANCE, TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the book Revolt of the Masses, National Scientist for History Teodoro 
Agoncillo narrated the events leading to the Cry of Pugadlawin and the first skirmishes 
of the revolution. He wrote that when the Philippine Revolution of 1896 broke out, 
Melchora Aquino was already 84 years old. Days before the commencement of the 
revolution, Bonifacio and over a thousand of his men came to the home of Juan A. 
Ramos, Aquino's eldest son and member of the Katipunan, the group whose members 
gave Melchora Aquino the moniker "Tandang Sora".
She opened her home to the revolutionaries and made it a safe space to 
organize a number of confidentiai gatherings. She looked after them and provided 
them food and the much-needed medical aid, and treatment for the ill and injured 
Katipuneros.
When the Katipunan was discovered by the Spanish colonial government, the 
elderly woman was their first target. The Spaniards were aware of her status as a top 
figure who was familiar with all the Katipunan's plans and strategies. She was arrested


without consideration for her age or frailty. She was aggressively questioned and 
threatened with jail and execution, but she remained silent regarding the Katipunan. 
They deported her to Guam as punishment. Despite losing everything she had to the 
revolution, she remained faithful to the cause.
Dapat lamang na kilalanin natin si Melchora Aquino at ang kanyang ambag sa 
reboiusyon at sa pambansang kasarinian at pagkakaisa. Upang ipakita ang ating 
pagpapahaiaga sa kanyang aiaaia, ating itinataiaga ang kanyang araw ng 
kapanganakan upang kiiaianin at itaguyod ang diwa ng kanyang mahaba at 
makabuiuhang buhay.
This bill seeks to recognize the invaluable contribution and sacrifices of 
Melchora Aquino during the revolution. It is a response to the call of the people of 
Quezon City to institutionalize and further strengthen the provisions of Presidential 
Proclamations (PP No. 1 s.1966, PP No. 508 s.1969 and PP No. 793 s. 1971) which 
declared the 6th of January as Melchora Aquino Day a venue to honor, commemorate 
and celebrate her life through appropriate ceremonies.
While there are various efforts to commemorate the life of Melchora Aquino, a 
dedicated day of nationally organized activities will integrate all these efforts and 
improve cooperation and coordination among sectors in our society.
As a nation that recognizes the crucial role of its people in achieving the 
independence of our nation, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought
M. LAPID
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. NO. 1709
feennU
o( tije
23 JAN 25 P3 55
RECEIVED 3V
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
2 
TO DESIGNATE THE SIXTH (6TH) DAY OF JANUARY OF EVERY YEAR AS A
3 
SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS TANDANG SORA DAY,
4 
MANDATING CONCERNED AGENCIES TO CONDUCT EVENTS DURING ITS
5 
OBSERVANCE, TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
6 
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
7 
SECTION 1. Tide. — This Act shall be known as the "Tandang Sora Day Act".
8 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of
9 
the State to undertake initiatives that will give due honor and recognition to our
10 
national heroes and the crucial roles they played in shaping our nation's history. To
11 
promote the values of nationalism, collective action, civic consciousness and patriotism
12 
among its people that will shape the character needed for national development and
13 
independence.
14 
SECTION 3. Tandang Sora Day. — In recognition of the life and heroism of
15 
Melchora Aquino, the sixth (6th) day of January of every year is hereby declared a
16 
special working holiday to be known as Tandang Sora Day.
17 
SECTION 4. Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Effort. — The National Historical
18 
Commission of the Philippines, Department of Education, and the Commission on
19 
Higher Education shall serve as the lead agencies in the preparation and


1 
implementation of the annual program of activities for the observance of the Tandang
2 
Sora Day.
3 
To ensure the meaningful observance and celebration of this day, the heads of
4 
national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations
5 
involved in education, local government units, and employers in the private sector
6 
involved in education, are encouraged to allow their respective personnel to participate
7 
in any related activity to be held within the premises of their respective offices or
8 
establishments.
9 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to implement the
10 
provision of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
11 
SECTION 6. Separabiiity Cause. — In the event that any part, section or
12 
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court,
13 
the remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if
14 
the sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.
15 
SECTION 7. Repealing Cause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
16 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act
17 
are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as case may be by this Act
18 
accordingly.
19 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
20 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
21 
circulation, whichever comes earlier.
22
Approved,