Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of House lawmakers filed bills to make February 25 a public holiday, as the Marcos administration has not declared it as such to mark the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
Liberal Party members filed a measure called “EDSA People Power Revolution Day Act” on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the eve of the 40th anniversary of the uprising that ended the dictatorship of the president’s father, the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The signatories were Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi, Zamboanga del Norte 3rd district Rep. Adrian Amatong, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr.
“By declaring February 25 of every year as a regular public non-working holiday, this bill seeks to institutionalize the commemoration of the Filipinos’ victory against tyranny and oppression in one of the darkest eras in Philippine history,” the bill read.
In an interview, De Lima said administrations have declared Feb. 25 a public holiday except for the current one.
The Palace has not declared Feb. 25 a non-working holiday since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022.
“Binabalik lang po natin ang mga dati na mga naging patakaran na gawin talaga kasi napakahalagang yugto ito ng ating kasaysayan na hindi dapat nakakalimutan,” De Lima said.
[Translation: We are simply bringing back the policies that were in place before because this is a very important chapter of our history that should not be forgotten.]
Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of democracy icons former President Corazon Aquino and former Sen. Ninoy Aquino, said the bill sends a strong message about restoring democracy. The assassination of Ninoy Aquino triggered the revolution.
On Monday, Feb. 23, Akbayan representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Ismula and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao filed a separate measure called “EDSA People Power Day Act.”
Diokno said marking Feb. 25 as a mere working holiday “diminishes the historic and civil significance” of the EDSA revolution.
“Institutionalizing EDSA People Power day affirms that the spirit of people power remains central to our national identity,” he said.
In a radio interview on Feb. 24, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos is open to reviewing proposed legislation to make Feb. 25 a national holiday.
