Lawmakers Want February 25 Declared a Permanent Holiday — Because Marcos Jr. Keeps Downgrading People Power's Anniversary

Before President Marcos Jr. took office, February 25 — the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled his father's dictatorship — was observed as a special non-working holiday every year. Schools closed, offices shut down, and the nation paused to remember. Not anymore.

Since 2024, Marcos Jr. has steadily downgraded the commemoration. Through Proclamation No. 727 in October 2024, his administration reduced it to a mere "special working holiday" — meaning life goes on as usual, with classes in session and offices open. It was the first time any government had scaled back the official recognition of the movement that restored Philippine democracy 40 years ago.

Now, minority lawmakers are pushing back with House Bill 7911, filed on Monday by Rep. Chel Diokno along with Akbayan party-list representatives and Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands. The bill would make February 25 a permanent regular holiday — not subject to presidential proclamation or political whims. "February 25, 1986 is more than a date etched in history — it marks the moment when the Filipino people peacefully rose to reclaim their democracy," Diokno said.

The bill also proposes designating the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as the lead agency for organizing nationwide commemorative activities, including educational programs on democratic values and human rights. Diokno warned that the inconsistent classification of the anniversary over the past three years has diminished the "historic and civic significance of EDSA."

Meanwhile, dozens of Catholic schools and universities have already independently suspended classes for February 25, choosing to honor People Power even without a government directive. The message from educators and opposition lawmakers is clear: you can downgrade a holiday, pero hindi mo mababawasan ang halaga nito sa kasaysayan ng bansa.

Source: Philstar