MANILA, Philippines — There are no legal impediments for the Congress-approved resolution, establishing a special non-working holiday to commemorate the founding anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo, the Department of Justice said.
In a letter to President Aquino's deputy executive secretary Michael Aguinaldo on July 1, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the DOJ "manifests no constitutional or legal objection" to the new holiday.
Last month, the DOJ was asked by Aquino's office to comment on House Joint Resolution No. 12 to give way to the Philippine-based church's celebration.
"As a matter of fact, in a previous letter dated 5 June 2014, this Department also did not interpose any objection on House Resolution No. 91, declaring 2014 as Iglesia ni Cristo Centennial Year," De Lima said.
De Lima, however, pointed out that the designated holiday on July 27, 2014 falls on a Sunday.
"This is a non-working day of the week wherein all private and government offices do not operate except for offices that are open for business on a Sunday," she said.