Cory grandson asks: Why wasn’t 38th EDSA anniversary declared a holiday?

The grandson of the late President Corazon Aquino and the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. questioned Sunday why the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolt was not declared a holiday like in previous years.

Francis “Kiko” Aquino Dee, deputy executive director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), admitted initially feeling confused over Malacañang’s position on the matter.

“Noong na-cancel [ang EDSA anniversary bilang holiday], una I felt confusion. Pero I tried to give the benefit of the doubt na dahil baka Sunday nga kaya hindi kailangan. Pero noong Chinese New Year, Sabado naman ‘yun, pero ginawang holiday, pero bakit ‘yung EDSA hindi?” Dee told members of the media during the EDSA Freedom Ride event in Makati City.

(When [the EDSA anniversary] was canceled [as a holiday,] at first I felt confusion, but I tried to give the benefit of the doubt because the anniversary did fall on a Sunday and perhaps the declaration was not needed. However, the Chinese New Year fell on a Saturday and it was declared a holiday. How come this wasn’t the case for the EDSA anniversary?)

To recall, the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution was not in the list of holidays released by Malacañang in October 2023.

The Office of the President earlier maintained its respect for the commemoration of the event, but added that, “such was not included in the list of special non-working days for the year 2024 as Feb. 25 falls on a Sunday.”

“There is a minimal socio-economic impact in declaring such a day as a special non-working holiday since it coincides with the rest day for most workers/laborers,” it added.

Earlier in 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. moved the Feb. 25 holiday for the 37th anniversary of the EDSA revolution to Feb. 24 to “enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics.” Through Proclamation 167, Marcos declared Feb. 24, 2023 as a special non-working holiday.

While he has concerns over the holiday declaration, Dee said he and other groups had promised to commemorate the People Power anniversary this year in an orderly manner.

“Naninindigan kami na kahit ano ang pasya ng Malacañang, ang grupo na ito ay naninindigan pa rin na gunitain ang EDSA,” Dee said.

(We are taking a stand that no matter whatever Malacañang decides on the matter, we are committed to commemorate EDSA.)

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Office of the President regarding Dee’s statement.

Dee is the son of Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee, daughter of the late president Cory who was the rallying figure in the 1986 revolt which ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the incumbent Chief Executive.

On Sunday, hundreds of Filipinos observed the anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution in several parts of Metro Manila.

At the “EDSA Freedom Ride” organized by the Akbayan Party, over a hundred cyclists, skaters, and runners gathered on Ayala Avenue to participate in the event.

“Habang pinapadyak natin ang ating mga bisikleta, tandaan natin na ang paglalakbay ng ating demokrasya ay parang biyahe sa gitna ng Edsa. Matrapik man papunta at minsan malubak ang daan, ang mahalaga, basta’t tayo ay sama-sama at nagdadamayan, darating din tayo sa ating patutunguhan nang may ginhawa,” Akbayan Party president Rafaela David said in a statement.

(As we pedal our bicycles, let us remember that our journey towards democracy is like a trip along EDSA. Despite the traffic and some bumps on the road, as long as we are together and support each other, we will our destination with comfort.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News