July 25 declared a special holiday

Expecting political opponents to be out in full force, Malacañang has declared Monday a special non-working day in Metro Manila as President Arroyo prepares to deliver her State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

"In order to encourage and give opportunity to Filipinos to listen to the address of the President and be involved in the affairs of the country, it would be best to declare Monday, July 25, 2005 a special (non-working) day in Metro Manila," read Proclamation No. 880 signed yesterday by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

But under the proclamation, employees of government departments, offices, agencies and instrumentalities or government-owned or -controlled corporations providing police, security, fire protection, custodial, rescue, emergency, medical and similar services shall observe regular working hours and provide service to the public.

Malacañang has been saying that authorities are prepared to maintain peace and order during the President’s SONA. Security has been tightened in and around Malacañang as the SONA nears in anticipation of massive street protests.

Ermita said the government’s intelligence units had received information that the opposition and other critics of the Arroyo administration plan to stage rallies to disrupt the President’s SONA.

He said the opposition had been trying to build up rally attendance against the government since June but was so far largely unsuccessful in enticing a majority of the people to join in calls for the President to step down.

The President will deliver her SONA during the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 13th Congress, a much-anticipated speech as she is currently under fire for allegedly rigging last year’s elections.

Aside from the expected protest actions, the opposition also vowed to file its amended impeachment complaint against the President right after her SONA.

Anti-government forces have announced their plans to hold rallies during the SONA alongside the supporters of the President.

Authorities have decided to keep the groups separate to avoid any clashes.

Some opposition lawmakers also said they would boycott the affair as the President could not be expected to be honest on the true state of the nation.

"What else have they not done?" Ermita asked, referring to the opposition. He added that by refusing to attend the SONA, the opposition legislators would face political consequences for turning their backs on their constitutional duties.

Ermita said the public would remember who among their elected officials had been counter-productive and destructive of the government’s efforts. — Aurea Calica