Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle leads mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at the Manila Cathedral in 2015. Photo from the Manila Cathedral Facebook Page

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring Dec. 8 a special non-working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Duterte signed on Dec. 28 Republic Act 10966.

Prior to the signing of the law, Catholic schools annually suspend classes every Dec. 8 in observance of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

The law passed the House of Representatives and the Senate on May 2 and Dec. 11, 2017, respectively.