Republic Act No. 946

Legal Principle: This section mandates that no commercial, industrial, or agricultural enterprise, including all types of stores and shops, shall operate on specified holidays.
Key Definitions:
- "Commercial, industrial or agricultural enterprise": All establishments engaged in economic activities.
- "Specified holidays": Sunday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.
Important Requirements:
- Closure period: From 12:00 midnight to 12:00 midnight on the listed holidays.

• No businesses allowed to operate during the specified times on these holidays.

Legal Principle: No construction, repair, or public works shall be undertaken during the same holiday period.

• Prohibition applies to all building and public works activities during the specified holidays.

Legal Principle: Certain establishments and activities are exempt from the prohibitions outlined in Sections 1 and 2.
Key Definitions:
- "Establishments": Hospitals, clinics, drug stores, public utilities, and others as listed.
Important Requirements:
- Specific activities such as embalming, burial, domestic service, and emergency services are allowed.
- Restrictions apply to cockfighting, Jai Alai games, and horse racing on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

• Exemptions include health services, utilities, and emergency services but restrict entertainment activities on specific holidays.

Legal Principle: The Secretary of Labor may expand exemptions for work that is indispensable and cannot be delayed.

• Appeals regarding the Secretary's decisions can be made to the President of the Philippines.

Legal Principle: In emergencies, local authorities may issue permits allowing work on prohibited holidays.
Key Definitions:
- "Municipal or city mayor": Local government official authorized to grant permits.
Important Procedures:
- Written permits must be issued and shared with local police and treasury within five days.

• Local authorities can grant emergency work permits with stipulated notification procedures.

Legal Principle: Employers cannot reduce employee compensation due to the Act’s provisions.

• Ensures that employees are protected from pay cuts related to holiday work restrictions.

Legal Principle: The Secretary of Labor is tasked with creating necessary regulations to implement the Act.

• Allows for the establishment of operational guidelines to enforce the Act.

Legal Principle: Violations of the Act or its regulations incur fines or imprisonment.
Penalties:
- Fines: Up to one hundred pesos.
- Imprisonment: Up to one month.
Liabilities:
- Corporate violations hold managers accountable; government corporations may also be liable unless proven otherwise.
- Aliens committing repeated violations face deportation.

• Clear penalties and liabilities are outlined for non-compliance with the Act.

Legal Principle: All laws regarding cockfighting, horse racing, Jai Alai, and motion picture exhibitions remain in effect except where specified by this Act.

• This section maintains the legality of other laws unrelated to the holiday work prohibitions.

• Effective date: September 20, 1953.

Republic Act No. 946 prohibits labor on specific holidays to promote rest and observance of these days.
Certain essential services and emergency work are exempt from this prohibition.
Employers are prohibited from reducing employee compensation due to this law.
Violations carry significant penalties, including fines and potential deportation for repeat offenders.
The Act maintains the validity of other existing laws regarding specific entertainment activities.