The leadership of the House of Representatives is confident that the Senate will act on its approved measure declaring the last Monday of January of every year a special working holiday in observance of “National Bible Day.”
Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao said he is optimistic that senators will also support House Bill 7544 which was approved on third and final reading before Congress goes on break last Oct. 12.
Pacquiao, principal author of the bill, said that based on the 2015 data of the National Statistics Authority, about 90 percent of the Philippine population are Christian.
“This makes our country the largest Christian nation in the Asia-Pacific, and the fifth largest in the country,” Pacquiao, vice chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, said.
He said the Holy Bible “serves as the foundation of spiritual, moral and social fiber, molding a socially responsible citizenry and a strong nation.”
He said the significance of the Holy Bible was recognized by former Presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, and Fidel Ramos through Presidential Proclamations 2242, 44, and 1067, respectively.
Pacquiao said these proclamations were instrumental in establishing the last week of January of every year as the “National Bible Week.”
Pacquiao said at the core of Christian belief is the Bible, its Holy Book.
“Sermons and homilies of Christian churches dwell in its teachings. It forms and transforms the lives of people across generations,” he said.
He said that the bill “takes a step further and seeks to emphasize the holiness of The Living Truth by allotting a holiday for its celebration every last Monday of January to be known as the National Bible Day. Maricel V. Cruz
