REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Meo Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4230

Introduced by Kabataan Party-List Representative Raymond V. Palatino

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Our nation's history is replete with many young Filipinos, from students to young workers
are peasats 19 out of school youths who took their ole as agents of sovial change by bear, and died
for the cause. This bill secks to memorialize a day to commemorate the martyrdom of our young
‘men anc women who, beyond men: words, took the ultimate sacrifice of offering their lives for
nutioaal liberation and soviai change.

Why do we designate September 20 as the particular day for dhe commemoration’ It is on
Unis diy’ in the year 1982 when renowned student leader and activist Edgar Jopson, was captured by
the military in Davao City and was subsequently shot numerous times uni! he died, allegedly the
nest day. That many of our young martyes during that period in our history, such as Kdgar Jopsan,
Sere attracteal fo the Left and were in fact martyred because of their subversive activities should not
‘eter us trom honoring and commemorating their deaths anki recognizing their martyrdoms. On the
Contrary. we should contextualize their heroism as manifestations of their times, when the ration was
Confronted ny massive poverty under a tyrannical dictatorship that offired the people few. if not no
“Prsumatic” aktemative, We should commemorate ther lives and inculcate among young Fitipinos,
that patsotie spirit that will inspire them to work and struggle for social change, beyood the mere
confines of comfort and of pragmatism. Beyond whalever ideological reservation we may have, we

must reaffirm our recoynition that their martyrdoms were instrumental in restoring many of the
democratic rights we currently enjoy,

{tis by good coincidence that September 20 is also a day before the anniversary of the
‘imposition of Martial Law under which tens of thousands of Filipinos were subjected to an
Sppressive and fascist nile, a few thousand of whom subsequently died in the bands of the Marcos


military,

Let the National Young Martyrs! Duy: also allow us to remember and recognize many other
young mariyes from the various periods of our history when we were colonized and occupied by
‘orcign powers, Let us not forget thal the Propaganda Movement, ead by national pero Jose Rizal,

Bonifacio, and many of its leaders were also from the ranks of the working class and peasant youth,
During the Japanese occupation, many of the gucritias who Persisted in the resistance ayainst dhe
invaders were also from the canks of the youth. indeed, notwithstanding centuries of history, the
youth has always emenged as one of the most potent forces in effecting social change,

‘Aca time when our youth are continuously bombarded by the temptation of pragmatism and
@ comfortable life, of individualism and careerism, and at a time when ‘our people continue to suffer
from perennial socio-economic and political crises, let our young martyrs past and present serve as

Adopted,

HON, RA} tn PALATINO

Reprisentyliye, Kabataan Party-tist


Sees aneune

SStaeirarsass

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATE VES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.

Introduced by Kabataan Purty-List Representative Raymond V. Palatino

with the National Union of
tions, is bereby tasked w plan,
im of this commemoration.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15 ) days after its complete publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Adopted,