The House of Representatives the other day approved on second reading a joint congressional resolution declaring the late former President Corazon C. Aquino a national hero.

The approval of House Joint Resolution No. 41 followed the adoption on second reading of HJR No. 40 which sets January 25th of each year as Cory Aquino Day.

Focusing Monday’s entire plenary session on the late democracy icon, the Lower House also adopted Resolutions No. 1299 and No. 1300 that contained the chamber’s tribute to Aquino and extended its members’ sincere condolences to her family.

Authored in the Lower House by Reps. Rodolfo Plaza (NPC, Agusan del Sur) and Liwayway Vinzons-Chato (LP, Camarines Norte), HJR No. 40 is expected to be approved on third and final reading after its approval by the Senate.

Majority Leader Arthur Defensor, one of the principal authors of House Resolution No. 1299 and 1300, said the chamber will resume action on the measure on Monday.

Also set for third and final reading is HJR No. 41 authored by Defensor and Liberal Party solons led by Rep. Erin Tanada of Quezon.

“If a Cory Aquino Day will be observed as an annual holiday, the Philippines will be the first country in the world to commemorate a couple for dedicating their lives in the name of freedom and democracy for their beloved country,” noted Quezon City Rep. Annie Susano.

Already, the Philippines commemorates Ninoy Aquino Day as a special holiday every August 21, marking the day Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was assassinated in 1983. This is embodied in Republic Act No. 9256 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007.

Widely considered as the contemporary counterpart of national hero Jose Rizal, Ninoy Aquino’s death triggered the People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime and brought back democracy in the country through his wife, President Aquino.

On Monday night, the Lower House observed a political ceasefire as leaders from both the majority and minority blocs agreed to devote the whole session day adopting resolutions and delivering privilege speeches citing the greatness of Aquino.

The House opposition deferred its delivery of the contra-SONA (State of the Nation Address) while action on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution was also put on hold.

Wednesday’s session was also canceled in preparation for the funeral of the late democracy icon that has been scheduled today. The day off will also give solons a chance to attend the necrological services for the late president.