Commemoration of the Founding Anniversary of Iglesia Ni Cristo Act

Senate of the sher mtary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -6 P4:30 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1079 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT DECLARING JULY 27 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NATIONAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9645, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE Religious freedom in the Philippines promoted the growth of many religious groups in the country. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is one of these groups. It was founded on July 27, 1914 by Brother Felix Y. Manalo, the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo. The INC's first loka/ or local congregation was located in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila. According to the 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority Census on Population and Housing, the INC is the third largest religious affinity in the country with 2.6 million Filipinos reported Iglesia Ni Cristo as their religious affiliation. Since its establishment, the Iglesia ni Cristo has grown from one local congregation in Manila to around 5,000 places of worship worldwide. This is clearly a strong testament not only to the INC's growth as a religious sector in our society, but a manifestation as well of the strength of the Filipino people's faith. The dynamic and disciplined leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo and its members have made it a role model for other religious organizations. Attending not only to the religious needs of its members, the Iglesia ni Cristo also looks after the society in

general through various projects such as outreach programs particularly for calamity victims and indigents, housing programs, livelihood projects to provide income opportunities to both members and non-members, medical-dental missions and blood donation drives through the New Era General Hospital, and education through the New Era University. The intention of this bill is to declare the 27th day of July of every year as a special working holiday in observance of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Sellate Bitte of the sa: iretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 MUG -6 PД 39 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1079 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT DECLARING JULY 27 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NATIONAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9645, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "COMMEMORATION OF THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9645 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "Sec. 3. National Holiday. - July 27 of every year is hereby declared as a special national [working] NONWORKING holiday in commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines."

Sec. 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

Sec. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,