MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao is pushing for the passage of a measure that will seek to declare the last Monday of January as the “National Bible Day.”
Pacquiao said that Senate Bill 1270 aims to strengthen the spiritual foundation of Filipinos, saying the Bible is the guidebook to eternal salvation.
“The Senate will soon approve my bill. I am confident that we will not have a hard time passing it on the Lower House. We have no other desire but to further and strengthen the spiritual foundation of the Filipino people,” Pacquiao said in a statement.
“We must read the Bible everyday to strengthen our moral fiber and spiritual foundation,” the senator added.
Pacquiao stressed that making the Bible as the foundation of Christian life would help create a society with God-centered governance and people-centered services.
On Tuesday, the period of interpellation for the measure had already been concluded after Pacquiao managed to answer clarificatory questions thrown by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.
The boxing champ-turned politician also expressed his gratitude to Drilon for raising levelheaded points during the interpellation.
“I have high respect and admiration on Sen. Drilon as a veteran legislator,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao was also proposing that the National Bible Day be considered as a special non-working holiday.
However, Drilon expressed objection, citing not only the financial implications involving employers and employees but also the final committee report which consider the National Bible Day as a just special working holiday.
Pacquiao, in response, said he is willing and open to any compromise just to rush the passage of the said measure.
During the proposed National Bible Day, activities and programs that would educate people on the importance of reading the Bible will be held in schools, churches, even government offices, including several media platforms.
The Philippines has been named as the largest Christian country in Asia as 93 percent of Filipinos are Christians.