Moving Ninoy Aquino Day to August 23 illegal – Lagman

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition member of the House of Representatives yesterday questioned the motives of President Marcos in moving the celebration of Ninoy Aquino Day from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23, saying this is a violation of the law.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Aquino’s death must be commemorated on the day he was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983, during the regime of Marcos’ father and namesake, former president Ferdinand Marcos.

“No holiday economics or domestic tourism boost can hold a candle to Ninoy’s heroism,” Lagman said.

The lawmaker cited Republic Act 9492 or “An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays,” which sets Ninoy Aquino Day on a Monday nearest Aug. 21, which falls on Aug. 19 this year.

“In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of the week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday,” the law stated.

This is provided that for “movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a non-working day.”

“The change of date in Ninoy Aquino’s death celebration this year is obviously in violation of the law as it should have been proclaimed by the President six months ago,” Lagman said.

The lawmaker underscored that “the dates of national memorials must not be changed to dilute its significance and accommodate revisionism.”

“It is in the same manner that we cannot change the dates of Christmas Day on Dec. 25, New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, the culmination of the four-day EDSA revolution on Feb. 25, Labor Day on May 1 and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8,” he added.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also criticized Marcos for moving the commemoration of Aquino’s assassination.

“There is a reason why we commemorate historical dates like Aug. 21, especially since it holds deep meaning in our struggle against dictatorship,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said yesterday.

“It seems having an extended vacation is more important for Marcos than commemorating an important event in the country’s history,” he stressed.

Last Thursday, Malacañang announced that the President moved the date of celebrating Ninoy Aquino Day to allow for a four-day weekend intended “to boost local tourism.”

Aquino was assassinated at the Manila airport tarmac after disembarking from a plane from the United States. The Marcoses were widely suspected to be responsible for the murder. – Emmanuel Tupas