Marcos Jr. Sets EDSA Holiday as Special Working Day in PH
EDSA HOLIDAY – Malacañang Palace defended President Bongbong Marcos in not declaring the People Power Revolution anniversary a non-working day.
In the Philippines, one of the most significant national events that is really carved in the history of the country is the EDSA People Power Revolution. It ended the dictatorship of the late former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Marcos Sr. ruled in the Philippines for more than 20 years. However, his regime is surrounded by issues and allegations about the alleged violation of human rights. There are also corruption issues as well as allegations that the press was being silenced then.
The EDSA People Power Revolution showed the solidarity of the Filipino people as it was able to oust the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. peacefully. The late former Pres. Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the first female president of the country, was elected. The Marcoses and the Aquinos are two (2) of the most prominent political clans in the country.
For several decades now, the Philippines observe an EDSA holiday every year in commemoration of the People Power Revolution. Usually then, the anniversary of the historic event was declared as a non-working day. However, in 2024, the EDSA People Power anniversary was not a holiday under the term of Pres. Bongbong Marcos now. This year, it is a working day.
The EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary being not declared a non-working day elicited different reactions from the people. Malacañang took a step to defend Pres. Bongbong Marcos regarding the EDSA holiday.
Based on a report on GMA News, Malacañang press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro expressed her thought that “it is the prerogative of the President”. She also stressed that the EDSA holiday being a working day will not hinder any activity set in line with the celebration of the event.
“When we say special working day, still there is encouragement to people to commemorate, to join any event and it will not hinder any activity to commemorate the EDSA People Power,” the Palace press officer said.
Based on the report, Atty. Claire Castro was also asked on the remarks of the critics that Marcos Jr. is allegedly trying to revise the history of the Philippines. To this, the Malacañang Press Officer raised a question if there is an activity stopped by the President since he assumed office.
“Unang-una, isipin po natin, mayroon po bang pinahinto ang Pangulo na anumang activity na patungkol dito sa commemoration ng EDSA People?’‘ Castro said.