With a National Baptist Day one more step into becoming reality, Deputy Speaker Benny Abante Jr. on Tuesday thanked legislators and groups for supporting a measure the lawmaker said would highlight the positive contributions of the more than 25,000 baptist churches in the Philippines.
“For over 120 years, baptist churches have gone beyond spreading the word of God; they have been a force for good in a society that has embraced and respected various faiths,” said Abante, who aside from representing the 6th District of Manila is also the host pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries.
The legislator––the principal author House Bill Number 6522, which declares January 16 of each year as National Baptist Day, a special working holiday––extended his gratitude to Sen. Win Gatchalian, author of the Senate counterpart of the measure, Senate Bill Number 2252, which on Monday was approved on third and final reading.
According to Abante, “in a world where the true north that distinguishes right and wrong can no longer be found in the turbulent seas of growing moral ambiguity, baptist churches, and like-minded institutions have provided our country with a steady moral compass.”
“As societal ills evolve and find new paths into the hearts and souls of our kababayan, faith can help shield our people from temptation, can serve as a weapon against moral decay.”
“Baptist churches and other denominations that promote faith in a loving and gracious God should be recognized for this, and that is our objective in establishing a National Baptist Day,” stressed Abante.
The legislator––the principal author of House Bill Number 6522, which declares January 16 of each year as National Baptist Day, a special working holiday––extended his gratitude to Sen. Win Gatchalian, author of the Senate counterpart of the measure, Senate Bill Number 2252, which on Monday was approved on third and final reading.
The House version was passed on the third and final reading in June 2020. On Monday, the House approved the House leader’s manifestation to adopt the Senate version of the measure, which declares the second Thursday of January each year as National Baptist Day.
“Baptist churches and other denominations that promote faith in a loving and gracious God should be recognized for this, and that is our objective in establishing a National Baptist Day.”
Abante likewise thanked Bible Believers League for Morality and Democracy or BIBLEMODE for backing both measures and helping ensure their passage in the 18th Congress.
“The support of Sen. Win and my colleagues in Congress, as well as the wholehearted backing of my fellow pastors, were crucial in passing this measure. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.”
