The Philippine national government declared June 12, 2014 as one of the Regular National Holiday in the entire Philippines in celebration of the country’s Independence Day celebration. Based upon proclamation No. 655 signed by President Aquino, June 12 is declared as one of the country’s regular national holiday.
See Also: Independence Day 2014 (June 12) Holiday Pay Rules
The theme for this year’s celebration of Philippine Independence according to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago (Following the Footsteps of Great Filipinos, Towards Widespread and Lasting Change.)
See Also: MMDA Lifts Number Coding Schemed on June 12, 2014
The June 12, 2014 Independence Day Celebration is considered as the 116th anniversary celebration of the Philippine declaration of Independence from the Spanish colonial regime that governed the country for more than 377 years of occupation.
Before the year 1962, the Philippine Independence were celebrated across the Philippines every July 4. It was President Diosdado Macapagal who moved the Independence Day celebration from July 4 to June 12 through Proclamation No. 28 signed on May 12, 1962, to recognize the declaration of Independence by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.
The June 12, Philippine declaration of Independence was not recognized by the United States of America and Spain during the early years of Gen. Aguinaldo’s leadership of the county, which led to the Philippine-American War during the early days of the Philippine Revolutionary government headed by the country’s first President, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
After the declaration of President Diosdado Macapagal of the country’s Independence Day or “Araw ng Kalayaan,” to June 12, the succeeding Philippine government leaders honored the date and up to this day, June 12 is celebrated nationwide as the country’s Independence Day.
