There is actually NO LAW declaring EDSA 1986 anniversary a holiday
Shortly after the release of Proclamation 368 yesterday which listed the national holidays for 2024, of critics of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. quickly pointed out that the 38th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution which is scheduled for 25 February 2024 has not been included as a special non-working holiday.
In a statement, the Palace said that it saw no need to declare the date as a holiday because it falls on a Sunday, anyway. Nevermind that there are employees who report for work even on Sundays especially in the business process outsourcing industry and that these people would get 30% additional pay if February 25, 2024 is declared a special non-working holiday. Not to mention that there are also college students with classes during Sundays.
A day becomes a national or local holiday by virtue of a law or a presidential proclamation. Obviously, a law has more weight than just a presidential proclamation because the former can only be reversed if and when it is repealed. That explains why certain local commemorations are declared as holidays on some years but it is not guaranteed all the time.
For example, the annual commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day as a special non-working day every August 21 is mandated by Republic Act 9256 which was ironically signed into law by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo back in 2004. If Marcos wants Ninoy Aquino Day to end, then he has to have RA 9256 repealed first.
Ironically, there THERE IS NO LAW designating February 25 of every year as a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution. The only reason why we get to enjoy February 25 as a holiday in the past years is because Presidents – and this includes Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte – have issued proclamations that make it so.
It is mind-boggling why a law designating February 25 as a special non-working holiday nationwide was never passed even during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino and eventually, her son Benigno Aquino III. Had that happened, the annual commemoration of EDSA 1986 would have had a more solid legal foundation regardless of who is President.
With Marcos slated to serve as President until 2028 and with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as his likely successor, the chances of having such a law passed in the next future is close to zero.
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