Duterte declares January 23 ‘First Philippine Republic Day’

President Rodrigo Duterte FILE PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring January 23 of every year a special working holiday to commemorate the “First Philippine Republic Day.”

President Duterte on Thursday, April 5, signed Republic Act 11014 into law to mark the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic which was held on January 23, 1899, at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.

“The National Historical Commission, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall implement activities for the ‘First Philippine Republic Day’ and ensure that the significance of this historical event will continue to inspire and instill a sense of pride for the rich and noble history of the Filipino nation,” the law states.

Senator Joel Villanueva, author of the measure, said that “the passage of this measure would remind us of the beginning of Filipino Democracy and the fight towards our freedom.”

“Importante po na gunitain natin ang pangyayaring ito hindi lang dahil bahagi ito ng ating kasaysayan at nakasulat ito sa mga libro kung ‘di dahil naghahanap tayo ng tamang direksyon na pwedeng tahakin para makarating sa ating mga pangarap bilang mga Filipino, bilang isang bansa,” Villanueva said in a statement on Friday.

“Nawa ay maging tanglaw natin ang halaga ng demokrasya sa landas tungo sa pagbabagong hindi mangangailangan ng pagkakawatak-watak o pagpapababa ng ating dignidad bilang mga Filipino. Mabuhay po ang Republika ng Pilipinas,” the senator said. /jpv