MANILA – Malacañang signaled it is leaving the fate of the EDSA People Power anniversary in the hands of Congress — but with a clear caveat that economic considerations will weigh heavily — as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed openness to reviewing a proposal declaring February 25 a regular holiday.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President is willing to study the measure once lawmakers formally submit their approved versions to his office, amid renewed calls to institutionalize the commemoration of the 1986 uprising that toppled former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
“Ibigay lang po nila ’yung versions nila kay Pangulo para po maaral, kung maisusumite po nila ito, ’yan naman po ay aaksyunan ng ating Pangulo,” Castro said in a radio interview.
House Bill 7911 seeks to declare February 25 a regular holiday each year in observance of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the four-day civilian-backed military uprising that led to the restoration of democratic institutions after two decades of authoritarian rule.
The measure comes amid questions over the government’s shifting treatment of the anniversary in recent years.
In 2023, the Marcos administration moved the commemoration to February 24, a Friday, citing economic considerations linked to the creation of long weekends aimed at boosting domestic tourism and business activity.
Since then, February 25 has not been consistently included in the official list of regular or special non-working holidays, effectively downgrading its annual observance.
Castro underscored that the economic impact of additional holidays remains a key factor in the administration’s decision-making process.
She noted that frequent holidays may disrupt business operations and affect productivity, although she clarified that Filipinos remain free to mark the anniversary regardless of its official classification.
The proposal to restore February 25 as a fixed regular holiday revives a long-running debate between historical commemoration and economic pragmatism — one that now awaits Congress’ action before landing on the President’s desk./PN
