Holiday law to be reviewed, says Palace

THE PALACE will review the implementation of the holiday economics law, or Republic Act (RA) 9492, on a case-to-case basis, an official said yesterday, after President Benigno C. Aquino III canceled the Aug. 23 holiday in commemoration of the death anniversary of his father, former senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

“We are not trying to repeal the holiday economics law… [It] is very clear that the President has the right to modify any holidays. So, based on the law itself, we will do it on a case-to-case basis,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing yesterday.

Malacañang on Wednesday issued Proclamation 13 declaring a holiday on Aug. 21 in observance of Ninoy Aquino Day instead of Aug. 23 as provided for in Proclamation 1841 issued by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo based on RA 9492.

The law rationalized the celebration of holidays by moving them to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

Under study is the observance of National Heroes Day on Aug. 29, a Sunday, under Executive Order 292 series of 1987, which was moved to Aug. 30, said Mr. Lacierda, adding that another proclamation will be issued on the next holiday.

He said the President has consulted some Cabinet members, including Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz, in issuing Proclamation 13.

“It has been the practice that if there’s a holiday, Monday is a non-working day. We are changing that idea. We are also looking at making ourselves more productive… If the first [working] day of the week is a vacation, it diminishes productivity for the rest of the week.”

Supportive

Sought for comment Francis C. Chua, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, supported the initiative of Mr. Aquino, saying: “Aug. 21 is the holiday and not really Aug. 23. By not declaring [Aug. 23] a holiday simply means that there is plenty of work to be done and many catching up to do.”

“Businessmen appreciate the gesture that is why we continue to support President Aquino,” he said in a text message.

He added that changing holidays shows little regard for contributions of heroes to the society.

For his part, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) secretary-general Ernesto T. Herrera said in a separate text message: “TUCP fully agrees with the Malacañang initiative.” — Ana Mae G. Roa, Businessworld