MANILA — Members of the House of Representatives late Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to declare August 1 of every year a special working holiday in recognition of an important piece of Philippine history: the official declaration of Philippine independence in Bacoor, Cavite on August 1, 1898.
With an overwhelming 270 votes, the panel approved House Bill (HB) No. 7986, or “An Act Declaring August 1 of Every Year a Special Working Holiday to be Known as the ‘Promulgation of the Solemn Declaration of Philippine Independence.’”
The measure was principally authored by Cavite Reps. Lani Mercado-Revilla, Jolo Revilla, Elpidio Barzaga, Aniela Tolentino, Roy
Loyola, and Adrian Advincula, along with Manila Rep. Edward Maceda.
“This important piece of history has only come to light within the last few years. It is only right to recognize this significant event
in our storied past: the solemn declaration of Philippine independence in Bacoor, Cavite on Aug. 1, 1898,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.
“And I hope this measure will provide Filipinos with the encouragement to pursue knowledge on what transpired during the birth of our nation and hopefully look at this momentous event as a source of national pride and patriotism,” he added.
If HB 7986 is enacted into law, official recognition will be given to the Promulgation of the Solemn Declaration of Philippine Independence during the Bacoor Assembly in 1898 as part of the country’s path to independence.
It may be recalled that it was the local government of Bacoor City – headed by then-Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla – that commissioned Philippine Historical Association (PHA) President Dr. Emmanuel F. Calairo to research what transpired during the Bacoor Assembly, a gathering of close to 200 “presidente mayor” or local leaders from different provinces at that time.
Calairo came up with a book entitled “Proclamation: Philippine Independence – The Truth About Aug. 1, 1898 Bacoor Assembly (A
Historiographical Inquiry),” which highlighted the role of the Bacoor Assembly in shaping the country’s history. (Amado Inigo/MTVN)
