Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Act

Senatt TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the Screetary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session NOV 24 P7:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1554 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 12 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE EXPLANATORY NOTE The Roman Catholic religion celebrates a number of festivities to commemorate important events and celebrate their faith. Being a predominantly Catholic country with more than 86 percent of the Filipino population practicing the Roman Catholic faith, Catholic festivities are widely observed and celebrated in the Philippines. One such celebration is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is celebrated every December 12 to commemorate Mary's apparition to Saint Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac in Mexico City in 1531. In the Philippines, Our Lady of Guadalupe is venerated as the patron of the unborn, sick, aging, disabled, and other people whose lives are threatened. She is also declared as the Heavenly Patroness of the Philippines. This bill seeks to declare the 12th of December of every year as a special working holiday in the Philippines to commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This will allow our countrymen who practice the Roman Catholic faith to observe and celebrate the significance of this day. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI

Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 NOV 24 P7:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1554 Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri AN ACT DECLARING DECEMBER 12 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO COMMEMORATE THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE 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 "Feast of Our Lady of

Guadalupe Act." commemorate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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

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