A CONGRESSMAN has filed a bill declaring February 25 — which commemorates the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. in a bloodless “People Power” revolution in 1986 — as a fixed annual national holiday.
“There must be a law institutionalizing the celebration as a regular national public non-working holiday of the EDSA People Power Revolution which started on Feb. 22, 1986 and culminated on Feb. 25, 1986,” Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman said in House Bill No. 9405 filed on Monday.
While there is no law that declares February 25 as a special non-working holiday, it has been declared so by the sitting president each year since 1986. Last week, Malacañang released Proclamation No. 368, the list of holidays next year; but it did not include February 25.
The Office of the President said it “maintains respect for the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution” but added that the date is not included as a non-working holiday as it falls on a Sunday.
“There is a minimal socio-economic impact in declaring such day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers,” it said in a statement.
However, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which falls on a Sunday, was included in the list of special non-working holidays.
In a Viber chat to reporters, Mr. Lagman said: “Filipinos are forgetful and sitting presidents would treat in varying degrees the celebration of the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution.”
He added that human rights violations, committed particularly during Martial Law, is not erased by the election of the late dictator’s son, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
