Guidelines for the Selection of National Heroes Act of the Philippines

Sendie Office of the secrap TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 OCT -6 P2:20 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1440 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT PROVIDING THE CRITERIA IN DEFINING THE NATIONAL HEROES OF THE PHILIPPINES, PRESCRIBING THE GUIDELINES AND MECHANISM FOR THEIR SELECTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE National heroes are exceptional individuals who have lived their lives to the service and causes of the country, igniting inspiration and patriotism among the population. While Philippine history textbooks usually name Dr. Jose Rizal as our national hero, such would however not be accurate as there is currently no law, decree, or proclamation that officially designates him as the national hero of the country. In 1993, the National Heroes Committee under the Office of the President was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 75 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos. The Committee, composed of the Secretaries of Education, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary of Defense, was mandated to "study and recommend the proclamation of National Heroes." In the same year, the Committee released the first three criteria for the selection of a national hero, and added another three qualifications two years thereafter. On the basis of such six criteria, the Committee recommended nine individuals for consideration to be a national hero, including Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and President Emilio Aguinaldo, among others.

While the above pre-conditions will not lead to the officialization of heroes, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) had, in 2023, codified the standards set by the Committee in 1993 and 1995. In consideration of the stand of the NHCP that the declaration of a hero must not be legislated, as it should generally result from public acclaim through time, this bill limits itself to setting the criteria through which the selection of a national hero must be filtered. This bill aims to ensure that the benchmarks through which national heroes will be evaluated are reflective of Filipino values and aligned with Filipino aspirations. In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. PANFILO Ki. LACSON Senator

Offier of the fees tip TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session OCT -6 P2:20 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1440 Introduced by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson AN ACT PROVIDING THE CRITERIA IN DEFINING THE NATIONAL HEROES OF THE PHILIPPINES, PRESCRIBING THE GUIDELINES AND MECHANISM FOR THEIR SELECTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Guidelines for the

2 Selection of National Heroes Act of the Philippines."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to recognize, honor,

4 and memorialize Filipinos who, through their lives and works, have rendered service 5 of the most distinguished nature to the nation. In line with the constitutional mandate 6 to foster patriotism and nationalism, and to conserve, promote, and popularize the 7 nation's historical and cultural heritage, the State shall ensure that these individuals 8 who embody patriotism, sacrifice and love of country are accorded due recognition as exemplars of national pride, and inspiration for Filipinos.

Sec. 3. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Additional

Power. - In addition to the powers granted by Republic Act No. 10086 entitled "Strengthening Peoples' Nationalism Through Philippine History Act", the NHCP has the power: 1. To receive and deliberate nominations for the proclamation of National Heroes; 2. To conduct hearings and consultations with the public in relation to the nominations; and

3. To submit recommendations for the proclamation of National Heroes to the President of the Philippines for approval.

Sec. 4. Requirements for the Nomination of a National Hero. — In order to be

nominated as a National Hero, the candidate must: 1. Be a Filipino citizen at the time of his or her death; and 2. Have been dead for at least fifty (50) years before being formally proclaimed as a National Hero.

Sec. 5. Criteria for the Determination of a National Hero. — The NHCP shall

9 consider the following criteria in determining whether they will recommend to the President a candidate for his or her proclamation as a National Hero: 1. Extent of the candidate's sacrifices for the welfare of the country; 2. Motive and methods employed in the attainment of the national ideal; 3. Moral character of the candidate; 4. Influence of the candidate on his or her generation or the succeeding generations; 5. Possession of the candidate of a clear concept of nationhood, and aspiration and struggle for the freedom of the Filipino people; 6. Capacity of the candidate to define and contribute to a system or way of life that upholds both freedom and order for the nation, recognizing that freedom without order leads only to anarchy; 7. Contribution of the candidate to the quality of life and the destiny of the nation; 8. Recognition that the candidate forms part of the Filipino people's collective expression, embodying their aspirations, struggles and ideals; 9. Candidate's foresight to think of the future, particularly the welfare of future generations; and 10. Other analogous criteria. Provided, That, in the determination of who the National Hero should be, the NHCP shall be guided by the rule that it involves not only the recounting of isolated episodes or events in history, but the evaluation of the entire process by which the candidate is considered as a hero.

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Sec. 6. Integration and Public Dissemination. - The Department of Education

2 (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall ensure that the lives, 3 deeds, and contributions of National Heroes are integrated into the curricula of all 4 levels of basic and higher education. The NHCP shall be responsible for public 5 dissemination through publications, documentaries, cultural programs, and other 6 forms of media.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the NHCP. 9 Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General 10 Appropriations Act.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after

the effectivity of this Act, the NHCP, in consultation with the National Commission for 13 Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the efficient and effective implementation of this 15 Act.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and

regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette. Approved,