Some speculate that Ninoy Aquino Day might face a fate similar to the EDSA anniversary
Starting in 2024, the commemoration of the EDSA Revolution anniversary, traditionally observed on February 25th, will no longer be recognized as a holiday. This change is a result of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s issuance of Proclamation No. 368 on Friday.
Proclamation No. 368, dated October 11 and signed by Marcos, outlines the official national holidays, non-working days, and special non-working days for the following year. These include various dates such as Chinese New Year (February 10), Black Saturday (March 10), All Souls’ Day (November 2), the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (December 8), Christmas Eve (December 24), and even the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. (August 21).
Notably, the Edsa People Power Anniversary, previously designated as a “special non-working holiday,” is absent from this list. According to the Office of the President, the EDSA anniversary was not included in the list of special non-working days because February 25, 2024, falls on a Sunday.
“There is minimal socio-economic impact in declaring this day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers and laborers,” it noted.
Evidently, there are concerns that Ninoy Aquino Day, which commemorates the assassination of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., could also be excluded in the future. The upcoming observance of this event will be on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
While it’s currently unlikely, the possibility exists, given the current leadership with the Marcoses in office. It’s apparent that the exclusion of the EDSA anniversary from the list of holidays will persist in the coming years.
One can only hope that the administration continues to recognize and commemorate significant events in the country, such as the EDSA anniversary, considering its profound impact on the freedom we currently enjoy.
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