Castro says President Marcos spending Holy Week break with family

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Malacañang Photo.

[Updated April 14, 2025, 3:27 p.m.]

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will spend the Holy Week break with his family, a Palace official said Monday.

At a briefing in Malacañang, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos would likely take a break from work starting Maundy Thursday.

READ: Holy Week 2025: An Inquirer.net Special

“We were able to ask, and he will be with his family—he will spend his time with his family,” Castro said when asked for the president’s Holy Week plans.

“This Holy Week, he will be giving time to his family so they can be together, especially since the President has been very busy with his activities. So that’s it,” she also said.

Castro said Marcos still has activities lined up until Holy Wednesday but did not disclose any further details.

Meanwhile, she also relayed the president’s additional directive to government agencies during the week-long observance of Holy Week.

“First and foremost, of course, what our president wants and what he has directed is to ensure that our fellow citizens — and not just our fellow citizens but also anyone visiting our country — are given a safe and convenient travel experience. In addition to that, those who are staying at home and not traveling or going on vacation should also be provided with protection,” she said.

This was consistent with Marcos’ earlier order for government agencies not to be complacent in monitoring and assisting Filipinos during the Holy Week.

The Holy Week for this year is from April 13 to 20.

Last April 4, the Philippine National Police said it deployed approximately 40,000 personnel nationwide to maintain peace and order during Holy Week and summer.