QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9203)
RA 9203 declares August 15 of every year as a special nonworking holiday in the Municipality of Catarman, Province of Camiguin, known as “Catarman Day.”
To commemorate the foundation day anniversary of the Municipality of Catarman.
The 15th day of August of every year.
It is a “special nonworking holiday,” meaning it is legally nonworkday in the specified locality.
Franklin M. Drilon (President of the Senate) and Jose de Venecia Jr. (Speaker of the House of Representatives) are shown as signatories.
The text indicates it lapsed into law on April 20, 2003 without the President’s signature, pursuant to Article VI, Section 27(1) of the Constitution.
Article VI, Section 27(1) of the 1987 Constitution.
It means the bill became law by constitutional lapse—i.e., it was not signed by the President within the required period and thus took effect automatically under Article VI, Section 27(1).
The House finally passed it on February 3, 2003, and the Senate passed it on January 22, 2003.
It was “Approved” by the President on the page, but it ultimately “lapsed into law on APR 20 2003” without the President’s signature, following the Constitution.
In Section 2: “This Act shall take effect upon its approval.”
Students should recognize that “approval” in this context is completed through constitutional lapse when the President does not sign within the constitutionally prescribed period; thus the effective date becomes April 20, 2003.
It is applicable only in a particular locality: the Municipality of Catarman, Province of Camiguin.
“Catarman Day.”
It shows the bill and publication references (e.g., H. No. 405 / 99 OG No. 29, 4636) and a parliamentary citation, which are relevant for locating official copies in law reports or the Official Gazette.
In Catarman, Camiguin, August 15 is a special nonworking holiday, so it is treated as a nonworkday regardless of the weekday.
No. RA 9203 specifically declares the holiday only for the Municipality of Catarman, Camiguin; other municipalities would need their own legal basis.