Code of 1987 specified a list of regular holidays and nationwide special days that did not include July 4. New holiday On January 9, 2013, President Benigno Aquino III (son of the former president) issued Proclamation No. 533, declaring January 23 as "Araw ng Republikang Pilipino" (Philippine Republic Day), the anniversary of the proclamation of the First Philippine Republic. On April 5, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11014, declaring January 23 of every year as "First Philippine Republic Day," making it a special working holiday nationwide. See also Araw ng Kalayaan on June 12 – the current Independence Day Bell Trade Act Philippine-American Friendship Day Parade Philippines–United States relations Public holidays in the Philippines RP–US Visiting Forces Agreement References External links Official Gazette: Philippine Republic Day Official Gazette: Philippine Republic Day (older version) July 4, 1946: True Philippine Independence Day The Independence Day That Wasn't June 12, 1898 as Independence Day PHILIPPINES: Torn Between Two Colonisers – Spain and America Public holidays in the Philippines Asian-American issues July observances Asian-American culture Filipino-American history Articles containing video clips Philippines