January 23 pushed as a national holiday

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker is seeking to declare January 23 as a national holiday in commemoration of the declaration of the First Philippine Republic.

Bulacan Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado filed House Bill 5156 or "An act declaring January 23 of every year a special working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the declaration of the First Philippine Republic."

Visit our Bill Tracker to view the proposed measure.

It was in Jan. 23, 1899 when the First Philippine Republic was established and marked the beginning of Filipino democracy and self-government.

"The significance of 23 January 1899 is the First Philippine Republic came into being as the sovereign choice of the people. It is a conscious choice to reject dictatorial and revolutionary government and establish for all the future Filipino generations the groundwork for democracy," Rep. Sy-Alvarado said.

Meanwhile, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said on Tuesday that it is time to recognize the national significance of the First Philippine Republic, which demolished the stigma of being the "land of Indios."

“It was on that very day, January 23, 1899, when our people and country, was recognized by the international community as a free republic and until now continues to gain the respect and admiration of foreign dignitaries, world leaders and even the Pope who is set to visit us this week,” Gov. Sy-Alvarado said.

January 23 is currently special non-working holiday in Bulacan. It would be a national holiday equal to June 12 commemoration of Philippine Independence Day if HB 5156 gets approved.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno earlier said that she believes that January 23 should be a national holiday.

The proposed measure is now pending with the House of Representatives committee on revision of laws.

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