House OKs bill declaring Sept. 11 ‘President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Day’ in Ilocos Norte

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on final reading the bill declaring September 11 a special nonworking holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth anniversary of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

With 197 affirmative votes, 9 negative, and one abstention, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 7137 declaring September 11 as “President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Day” in Ilocos Norte.

The bill was authored by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ria Fariñas, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, and Probinsyano Ako Rep. Rudys Caesar Fariñas.

In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte, through a proclamation, declared September 11 as a Special Non-Working Day in Ilocos Norte to mark Marcos’ birth anniversary.

Proclamation 310 stated that the Ilocano community would be given the opportunity to commemorate “his life and contributions to national development as World War II veteran, distinguished legislator, and former president.”

The remains of the former president were laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on November 18, 2016, after the Supreme Court allowed its burial at the Heroes’ Cemetery despite strong opposition from critics and human rights groups. [ac]