Election Day a holiday

President Aquino has declared May 9, Election Day, as a special public nonworking holiday nationwide.

“Monday, May 9, should be declared a special public nonworking holiday to enable the people to properly exercise their right of suffrage,” President Aquino said, in signing Proclamation No. 1254.

Mr. Aquino signed the proclamation on April 25.

Employees who report for work on special public nonworking holidays will be paid additional 30 percent of their daily rate on the first eight hours of their work.

In excess of eight hours, they will be paid an additional 30 percent of their hourly rate.

Some 55 million registered Filipino voters are expected to troop to polling places on May 9 to cast their ballots and choose the next president, vice president and 12 senators.

Voters are also expected to choose their party-list groups as well as their local leaders, including their district representatives.