Marcos moves ‘Ninoy Aquino Day’ to create long weekend
2 days after actual death anniversary

Marcos moves ‘Ninoy Aquino Day’ to Aug. 23 to create long weekend

/ 05:32 AM August 16, 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has moved the special nonworking day marking Ninoy Aquino Day from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23, a Friday, to allow for a four-day weekend intended to boost local tourism.

Signed on Thursday, Proclamation No. 665 sets the commemoration of the death of former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. two days after the date he was assassinated at what was then the Manila International Airport (MIA) in 1983.

President Marcos said the occasion was moved “in order to provide for a longer weekend, thereby promoting domestic tourism.”

Article continues after this advertisement

But he also stressed that the “historical significance of Ninoy Aquino Day is maintained” even with the change.

FEATURED STORIES

Monday’s a break, too

The extended weekend becomes four days because Aug. 26, a Monday, is also a regular nonworking holiday—National Heroes Day.

The murder of Aquino, an arch-critic of the President’s father, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., on Aug. 21, 1983, was widely considered the beginning of the end for the dictatorship.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Marcos moves Ninoy Aquino Day to August 23 for longer weekend

Article continues after this advertisement

Returning from US exile, Aquino, considered the top opposition figure who could challenge Marcos Sr., was shot dead shortly after being escorted out of his plane by government security agents.

Public outcry and sustained protests triggered by his death climaxed three years later in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, the four-day upheaval that forced the Marcos family out of the country and installed Ninoy’s widow, Cory, in power.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Holiday, Ninoy Aquino, weekend

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.