Senator Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao wants every last Monday of January to be declared “National Bible Day,” and a regular holiday.
Pacquiao’s proposal was contained in Senate Bill No. 1270 which he filed Wednesday.
“As a predominantly Christian nation and the largest Christian nation in the Asia Pacific, this Act recognizes the value of the Holy Bible as the core of Christian faith,” the bill said.
“The last Monday of January and every year thereafter is hereby declared as a ‘National Bible Day Act’ and proclaim the same as a national holiday,” it added.
Pacquiao said in his explanatory note tothe bill that 93 percent of the Philippine population comprise Christians —the largest Christian population in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth largest Christian population in the world.
“The core of Christian belief is grounded on the Holy Bible. Sermons and homilies of Christian churches dwell in the teachings of the Bible. It is the primary source of spiritual manna. It forms and transforms lives of people from generations to generations. It serves as the foundation of spiritual, moral, and social fiber, which molds a socially responsible citizenry and strong nation building,” he said.
The significance of the Holy Bible, the senator said, was also recognized by former Presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, and Fidel Ramos in Presidential Proclamation Numbers 2242, 44, and 1067, respectively.
He said the proclamations were in harmony with declaring the last week of January of every year as “National Bible Week.”
“This bill seeks to boldly emphasize the holiness of The Living Truth by allotting a holiday for its celebration on every last Monday of January, which shall be known as ‘National Bible Day,’” Pacquiao said.
“This calls for all Christians to altogether unite and celebrate the Holy Bible as the cradle of the Christian faith,” he added. JE/rga