MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 11040 declaring April 27 as ‘a special working public holiday’ throughout the country in honor of Cebuano hero Lapu-Lapu.
The President signed the law on April 29 to commemorate the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spaniards led by Ferdinand Magellan in the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521.
Under the new law, April 27 of every year has also been declared ‘a special nonworking holiday’ or ‘Lapu-Lapu Day’ in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province.
Duterte had previously made remarks and issuances to recognize Lapu-Lapu as the first Filipino who led resistance against foreign rule in the country.
In April 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order 17 creating the Order of Lapu-Lapu to be conferred to individuals who made big contribution to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and corruption.
Police officer Ronald Anicite became the recipient of the Order of Lapu-Lapu in November last year for subduing a knife-wielding man in Caloocan City.
Duterte personally conferred the award to Anicite at the Malacanang Palace.
Duterte also issued Proclamation 200 in April last year declaring April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in recognition of the “legacy of freedom” that Lapu-Lapu left to the Filipinos “through his leadership, extraordinary bravery, courage and love for his own land”.
Duterte, the country’s first leader from Mindanao, had said he would bid for inclusion of Lapu-Lapu in the list of national heroes.
Lapu-Lapu killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in the famous ‘Battle of Mactan’. (Jelly Musico/PNA)
