Bill declaring Dec. 8 as non-working holiday forwarded to Malacañang

The bill seeking to declare December 8 a special non-working holiday nationwide to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is awaiting President Duterte’s signature.

House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said House Bill (HB) 5241, which was adopted by the Senate as Senate Bill 1430, has been transmitted to the President for signature.

He said HB 5241 is a national bill that has yet to be signed by the Chief Executive, along with two local bills.

Fariñas said that by declaring December 8 as a special non-working holiday, about 76 million Catholic Filipinos shall be allowed to profess their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through generative and celebratory practices pursuant to the Marian dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church.

“This is to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary on December 8 to strengthen the established devotion of Filipinos to the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary,” he said.

House Bill 5241 seeks to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception as principal patroness of the Philippines. Such declaration was made by Pope Pius XII through the Apostolic letter Impositi Nobis issued on Sept. 12, 1942. In 1708, Pope Clement XI declared December 8 as a holy day of obligation for Catholics al over the world in honor of holiness and purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Charissa M. Luci-Atienza)