Moving Ninoy Aquino commemoration days later will not diminish history, the family of late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. said in a statement.
The family issued the statement following the proclamation of Malacañan Palace moving Ninoy Aquino Day from August 21 to August 23.
“Moving a day of commemoration will not diminish the fact that Ninoy died fighting for the country and the people he so loved and his death sparked a revolution that ended Marcos Sr. authoritarian rule,” the family stated.
Republic Act No. 9492 declares that commemoration of Ninoy Aquino may be celebrated on the Monday nearest to August 21 unless modified by law or proclamation.
Proclamation No. 665 declares Friday, August 23 as a special non-working holiday throughout the country.
This is “in order to provide for a longer weekend thereby promoting domestic tourism the celebration of Ninoy Aquino Day August 23” provided the historical significance is retained.
This leaves – Friday, August 23; Saturday Aug. 24; Sunday, Aug 25 and Monday, Aug. 26 – a 4-day long weekend.
Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Liberal Party President meanwhile stressed Ninoy Aquino’s death must be celebrated on his assassination day on August 21.
Lagman added that changing of memorials “dilute its significance and accommodate revisionism”.
He stressed that the proclamation violates RA No. 9492 or “An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays” which states that in the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of the week, provided that the President must issue the proclamation at least six months prior to the holiday concerned.
The Proclamation on the other hand was announced last August 15.
