By: Thea Divina
Activists and protesters peacefully filled the streets of Macapagal avenue in one voice to call an end to the dictator's rule. Photo courtesy of Code NGO.
President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. has declared Friday, Feb. 24, as a special non-working day to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the first EDSA People Power revolution on Feb. 25, 1986, which led to the ousting of his dictator father and namesake, Martial Law initiator, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Recent updates from the Official Gazette’s official Facebook page have clarified the ceremonial day of EDSA, Saturday, Feb. 25, as a regular working day through Proclamation No. 167, signed and released by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Thursday, Feb. 23.
The application of “holiday economics” dismisses announcements of Feb. 25 as part of the year’s official list of regular and non-working holidays under Proclamation No. 42 and No. 90.
According to a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) order, the no-work, no-pay policy covers special non-working holidays unless there are company rules or agreements “granting payment on a special day”, which constitutes an additional 30% of the daily rate of working employees for their first eight hours of work. Overtime is also equivalent to an additional 30% of the workers' hourly rate on that day.
‘Reclaiming the Truest Sense of People Power’
Martial Law survivors, activists, and civil society groups are expected to continue their lineup of activities on Feb. 25, marking the first commemoration of the 1986 EDSA Revolution under the second Marcos presidency.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in coordination with the Spirit of EDSA Foundation and the Quezon City local government, will lead commemorative activities at the EDSA People Power Monument on Saturday.
Anti-Marcos groups such as the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (Carmma), Movement Against Tyranny, ML50, and Movement Against Disinformation will also conduct a program at the monument.
Other activities, such as mural paintings, musical performances, and a screening of “11,103,” Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala’s documentary about the victims of martial law, will also be held on the same day.
“Edsa does not deserve to be marked with deafening silence. It should be commemorated with a fiery commitment to achieving genuine freedom and democracy,” says Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes, one of the organizers.
For Colegio updates, Letran Intramuros’ office operations and classes in all levels are still suspended on Saturday, Feb. 25.