WHEREAS, the establishment of the Philippine Republic by the Revolutionary Government under General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898, marked our people ™s declaration and exercise of their fight to self-determination, liberty, and independence;

WHEREAS, such a historic and inspiring action was a legitimate assertion by the Filipino nation of their natural and inalienable claim to freedom and independence, which is an inherent right of every people not dependent upon the will and discretion of another;

WHEREAS, the transcendental importance of the event demands that it be observed throughout the land with fitting ceremonies to the end that it will be cherished forever in the hearts of the Filipino people and inspire them and posterity to greater dedication and endeavor for the welfare of the country and the well-being of mankind;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Diosdado Macapagal, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 30 of the Revised Administrative Code, do hereby declare Wednesday, June 12, 1963, as a special public holiday throughout the Philippines in commemoration of our peoples declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence.

I urge all national, provincial, city, and municipal officials throughout the country to make arrangements in their respective localities for the appropriate celebration of the occasion as Philippine Independence Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-three.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL
President of the Philippines

By the President:
SALVADOR L. MARI O
Executive Secretary