QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9645)
RA No. 9645 is cited as the “Commemoration of the Founding Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo Act.”
The State shall observe the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo every 27th of July in recognition of its exemplary feat of leading members toward spiritual enlightenment and good citizenry.
July 27 of every year.
It is a “special national working holiday,” meaning it is not a regular non-working holiday; work is generally allowed/required depending on the applicable labor holiday rules.
It amends Section 26, Chapter 7 of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), as amended.
Any law, presidential decree/issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with RA 9645 is repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
Fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Because the law’s effectivity is expressly conditioned on publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation; without such publication, the 15-day period does not start.
It implies that the day is nationally recognized but is still a working day (subject to labor rules on holiday pay, hours, and work scheduling), rather than an automatic day off like regular non-working holidays.
RA 9645 amends a specific provision of EO 292, thereby integrating the new special holiday into the existing framework on holidays.
It states the legislative purpose and justification for the holiday—commemoration of the founding anniversary in the Philippines.
It states that the consolidated bill (from House Bill No. 5410 and Senate Bill No. 3281) was finally passed by the House and Senate on June 3, 2009.
It was signed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as President of the Philippines; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker Prospero C. Nograles, and secretaries of the Senate and House are shown in the formal approval/passages portion of the act.
RA No. 9645 controls to the extent of inconsistency because it is a national law declaring the date as a special national working holiday; the repealing clause indicates that inconsistent rules are superseded.