On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, together with fellow Liberal Party lawmakers, filed a measure seeking to declare February 25 a regular national non-working holiday.
House Bill No. 8028, or the proposed EDSA People Power Revolution Day Act, aims to institutionalize the annual commemoration of the 1986 uprising that ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
De Lima formally filed the bill at the House of Representatives of the Philippines, joined by activist Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino.
“Bukod sa pagmamarka sa petsa bilang holiday, pagmamarka po ito sa katotohanan na hindi dapat binubura o binabago. Malinaw naman na hindi na lang banta, kundi talagang nangyayari na ang historical revisionism,” De Lima said.
She cautioned against the growing spread of online misinformation and propaganda.
“Napakabilis ng pagkalat ng fake news sa social media, at lantaran ang mga maling impormasyon at propaganda na ipinapakalat ng trolls para pagtakpan ang mga kasalanan at pabanguhin ang pangalan ng iilan,” she added.
De Lima emphasized that reducing February 25 to an ordinary working day could weaken public remembrance of its significance.
“Kung patuloy na palalabnawin ang halaga ng EDSA People Power, naroon ang panganib ng tuluyang paglimot sa diwa nito at sa pag-ulit sa mga kamalian ng nakaraan,” she warned.
If enacted, the bill would make February 25 a regular public holiday nationwide, honoring the heroism and sacrifices of martial law victims and survivors.
Principal authors of the measure include Reps. Egay Erice (Caloocan City), Adrian Amatong (Zamboanga del Norte), Jimmy Fresnedi (Muntinlupa City), and Alfonso Umali Jr. (Oriental Mindoro).