Duterte declares May 13 as special non-working holiday

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 13 as a special non-working holiday.

The President signed Proclamation No. 719 on Thursday “to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote.”

May 13, Monday is the midterm elections where 61 million Filipinos are expected to troop to polling precincts to cast their votes.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was expecting an 80 to 81 percent voter turnout for the May 13 polls.

READ: Comelec hopes for 80-81% voter turnout for May 13 polls

Malacañang has said the military and the police are already prepared to secure the elections following the President’s call for an honest and peaceful polls. /muf

READ: DOE assures Duterte a brownout-free Election Day