MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the bill declaring December 8 or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary as a special non-working holiday to be observed in the entire country.
The bill, authored by Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Fariñas, was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives last November.
In the Philippines, the Catholic Church considers the Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary as a day of obligation. Under Republic Act No. 10966, December 8 will be added to the many holidays and special non-working days the country has in a year.
Pres. Duterte signed the law on December 28.