No gambling on Rizal Day

A 64-year old law banning cockfighting, horse racing and jai-alai on Rizal Day is still in effect, Malacañang reminded the public on Friday.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Republic Act. No 229, which was signed in 1948,  said violators of the law on the prohibition on illegal gambling on Dec. 30 face up to six months imprisonment and a maximum penalty of P200.
If the violator is a local executive or a mayor, he or she shall suffer an additional punishment of suspension from office for one month.
The law also requires the raising of the Philippine flag at half mast in all vessels and at half staff in all government buildings on Dec. 30.
“On December 30, we enjoin Filipinos both at home and abroad to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. Chief among our pantheon of heroes, Dr. Rizal embodies the highest aspirations of Filipinos as a people and as a nation,” Lacierda said.
“Rizal‘s devotion to truth, justice, and the civic virtues impelled him to deplore and expose the abuses of colonialism, resulting in his incarceration and eventual execution. It was through the gift of language and the written word that our national identity was formed,” he added.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the National Language by President Manuel Quezon.