FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 J!A 15 1\9 :47 
SENATE 
S. No. 1452 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Lapu-Lapu is considered as one of the greatest figures of ancient Philippine 
history. He was the earliest known indigenous Visayan Muslim chieftain and a datu in 
the island of Mactan. In Southeast Asia, Lapu-Lapu was alone in resisting Spanish 
colonization during the Age of Exploration. 
Upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors led by Ferdinand Magellan in 
Cebu, Magellan succeeded in converting the chief of Cebu, Datu Humabon and his wife 
into Christianity. With the Spaniards' display of power, the natives were both amazed 
and afraid of such superiority that they were made to submit to the Spaniards' demands 
easily. All other chiefs except Lapu-Lapu were also converted to Christianity and were 
made to swear allegiance to Spain. 
Unlike the other chiefs, Lapu-Lapu did not embrace the ideas presented by the 
Spaniards. He was disturbed when he heard of the activities of Magellan and how the 
Spaniards easily succeeded in con,(erting the natives to Christianity and were made to 
swear allegiance to Spain. What bothered him most were the abuses committed by the 
Spaniards against the women. Upon knowing that Lapu-Lapu's resistance would be a 
hindrance to their goals, Magellan decided that there was indeed a need to use force 
against Lapu-Lapu. Thus, the historic Battle of Mactan ensued on April 27, 1521. 
In recognition of the historical significance of the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his 
men over the Spaniards, it is only fitting that April 27 of every year be declared as a 
special non-working holiday throughout the country to be known as Lapu-Lapu Day or 
Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu. 
I n view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No . 1452 
, " 
• 
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI 
AN ACT 
DECLARING APRIL 27 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY 
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY OF LAPU-
LAPU AND HIS MEN OVER THE SPANIARDS LED BY FERNANDO MAGALLANES 
IN THE HISTORIC BATTLE OF MACTAN ON APRIL 27,1521, TO BE KNOWN AS 
LAPU-LAPU DAY OR ADLAW NI LAPU-LAPU, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSES 
SECTION 26, CHAPTER 7 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO 292, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987, AS AMENDED AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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Section 1. Th: twenty-seventh day of April of every year is hereby declared as a 
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special non-working holiday throughout the country to commemorate the victory of 
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Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spaniards in the historic battle of Mactan on April 27, 
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1521 to be known as Lapu-Lapu Day or Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu, 
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Section 2, Section 26, Chapter 7 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known 
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as the Administrative Code of 1987, as amended is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"SEC. 26. Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days - (1) Unless 
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otherwise modified by law, order, or proclamation, the following regular holidays 
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and special days shall be observed in the country: 
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A. Regular Holidays 
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New Year's Day 
Maundy Thursday 
Good Friday 
Eidul Fitr 
Araw ng Kagitingan 
Labor Day 
Independence Day 
January 1 
Movable date 
Movable date 
Movable date 
April 9 
May 1 
June 12 


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National Heroes Day 
Bonifacio Day 
Christmas Day 
Rizal Day 
B. Nationwide Special Holidays 
LAPU-LAPU DAY 
Ninoy Aquino Day 
All Saints Day 
. 
Last Day of the Year 
Last Sunday of August 
November 30 
December 25 
December 30 
APRIL 27 
August 21 
November 1 
December 31 
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Section 3. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
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and any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
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Section 4. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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