Duterte declares special working holiday for National Bible Day

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring the last Monday of January every year as a special working holiday in observance of the National Bible Day.

Signed on December 20 last year, Republic Act 11163 provides that it is the policy of the government to "aid and encourage development of the moral character and spiritual foundation of the Filipino people."

"As a predominantly Christian nation and the largest Christian nation in the Asia Pacific, this Act recognizes the value of the Holy Bible as the core of Christian faith," it said.

Among those who pushed for the law's passage were Senators Manny Pacquiao and Joel Villanueva. The lawmakers are born-again Christians. —LDF, GMA News