February 18 not a holiday, Malacañang clarifies

MANILA, Philippines — This coming Wednesday, February 18 is not a public holiday, Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified on Tuesday.

It is the first day of Ramadan this year, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Malacañang, however, has never declared the first day of Ramadan as a national holiday.

READ: Ramadan 2026: A look at how Muslims observe the holy month

That day will also be Ash Wednesday, signaling the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world practice a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset, as well as a time for increased worship, religious reflection and charity.

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Ramadan is followed by the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking of the Fast) some time in March this year.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to issue a proclamation to declare Eid al-Fitr a regular holiday nationwide under Republic Act No. 9177.

Feb. 17 (Tuesday) this year, however, is declared a special nonworking holiday in celebration of the Chinese New Year. /gsg