Press Release
June 18, 2011

Sen. Bongbong Marcos seeks to change 'Rizal Day' date

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. today batted for the changing of date of national observance of Rizal Day from December 30 to June 19 as the more fitting and historically correct date to pay tribute to our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

Marcos made the proposal, contained in Senate Bill (SB) 2743 he filed, as the whole nation observes this year Rizal's 150th birth anniversary.

"It is fitting then that Filipinos commemorate Rizal Day on June 19 as a day of triumph of his nationalism and patriotic ideals," he said, mindful that Dec. 30 is an official national holiday that commemorates a hero's death.

"The birthday of our national hero should always be a day of celebration of his life and of his great contribution to the country's independence from foreign domination," he said. SB 2743 seeks to amend Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987 by moving the national observance of Rizal Day from December 30 to June 19 every year.

Marcos believed that this year's national observance of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary is the more appropriate time to set historical records and significance by which we should pay tribute to our national hero.

Malacanang through the Proclamation No. 154 declared June 20 as a special non-working holiday throughout the country in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Rizal.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that Monday, June 20 be declared as a special non-working holiday instead of June 19 which falls on a Sunday to give all Filipinos the oportunity to commemorate Rizal's partiotic deeds and sacrifices for the country and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies,

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