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09 AUG 2016

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS REST RE TION UNIT
First Regular Session il > n QEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 2762,

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It seems supremely ironic that as of this date, the two greatest Filipinos who
ever lived were, technically and legally speaking, not our national heroes. Whether
due to deliberate government inaction or due to plain bureaucratic negligence, the
fact remains that at present, there is yet no statute or executive issuance proclaiming
Dr. Jose Rizal and Gat Andres Bonifacio, or any Filipino historical figure for that
matter, as national heroes of this country. The instant bill seeks to correct this legal
oversight by pushing for the official declaration of Rizal and Bonifacio as national
heroes of the Republic of the Philippines.

The contributions of both Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio to the social
transformations that eventually resulted in our country gaining the freedom it has
been dreaming, striving and fighting for, are universally recognized. In fact, several
laws were passed, the earliest of which was in 1898, honoring and commemorating
their lives and contributions, such as:

a) Decree of December 20, 1898 which declared December 30 of every year
a day of national mourning in honor of Rizal and other victims of the

Philippine Revolution;

b)

Act No. 137 which organized the politico-military district of Morong into the
Province of Jose Rizal to honor Rizal;

Act No. 2946 enacted in 1921 to commemorate the birth of Andres
Bonifacio; and

¢)

d)

Act No. 2760 enacted in 1918 which confirmed and ratified all steps taken
for the creation, maintenance, improvement of national monuments and
particularly for the erection of a national monument in memory of Andres
Bonifacio.


The aforecited enactments impliedly granted Jose Rizal and Andres
Bonifacio the status of our national heroes; hence, it is only proper and logical for the
present Congress to promulgate a law officially bestowing such status upon the two
beloved fathers of our nation. This is the least we could do to repay them, as well as
their families and heirs, for the ultimate sacrifice that they both performed so that the
Filipino nation can be free. This will also guarantee that the cost of the freedom
currently being enjoyed by the Filipino people, and which will continue to be enjoyed
by the future generations, shall forever be instilled in our minds and hearts.

In view of the foregoing premises, support for the immediate passage of this
bill is being earnestly solicited
C ———
<P,

GARR. ERICE
Representative
2" District, Caloocan City



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2762

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT
OFFICIALLY DECLARING
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL AND ANDRES C. BONIFACIO
AS NATIONAL HEROES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The two universally-revered Filipinos, Dr. Jose P. Rizal and
Andres C. Bonifacio are hereby officially declared as national heroes of the Republic
of the Philippines.

SECTION 2. All government offices and agencies are hereby required to
prominently display within their premises the statues, reliefs, paintings or other
objects depicting the images of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Andres C. Bonifacio.

SECTION 3. All local government units are hereby mandated to dedicate and
name at least one (1) public street, avenue or thoroughfare within their respective
territorial jurisdictions after Dr. Jose P. Rizal and Andres C. Bonifacio.

SECTION 4. The National Commission for Culture and Arts is hereby
designated as the primary agency to oversee the implementation of this Act, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Approved,