The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill that would designate September 11 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to honor the birth anniversary of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
House Bill 9216, officially titling the commemoration as “President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Day,” secured overwhelming support during the plenary session with 218 affirmative votes. Only four lawmakers voted against the measure, while two abstained.
The three-member Makabayan bloc registered their strong opposition to the bill, which honors the late strongman. Among those voting against the measure were Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co, Gabriela Party-list Representative Sarah Elago, and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio.
Following the voting, representatives from the minority bloc manifested their intent to formally document their dissent.
“This representation would like to manifest that they vote no, and we would like to submit a written explanation of our vote,” Co said.
Echoing the stance, Elago also moved to submit a formal justification for her opposition.
“This representation of Gabriela Women’s Party would like to signify our intent to submit an explanation of the vote no,” Elago said.
Tinio later requested a clarification on the floor regarding his stance, which House leaders confirmed was officially recorded as a negative vote.
The measure counts House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos—the grandson of the late chief executive—as one of its three principal authors.