EDSA People Power Anniversary Still Not Holiday under Marcos Administration

List of Holidays 2025 Excludes EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary

EDSA PEOPLE POWER – The anniversary of the EDSA Revolution remains not a holiday for the second time now under the Marcos administration.

One of the most significant events in the history of the Philippines is the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. Also called the February Revolution, it was the time when the late former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the current PH Pres. Bongbong Marcos, was ousted from Malacañang.

Former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Sr. / Photo lifted from scoutmag.ph

From the 22nd to the 25th of February in 1986, countless Filipinos gathered at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to protest against Marcos Sr. People from different walks of life swarmed at the highway and it became a defining moment when the power of democracy won in a peaceful way.

For decades since 1986, the Filipinos are celebrating the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary every February 25. It was usually a regular holiday in the country — classes in schools and work are suspended to pave way for the event.

EDSA People Power Anniversary
Photo Courtesy of PhilStar

However, 2023 brought a change on the commemoration of the ESDA People Power Revolution during the celebration of its anniversary. The event was not declared a holiday but Malacañang had a reason for it.

Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, amid a backlash from the critics as February 25 is no longer a holiday, the Office of the President justified that there was no holiday declaration as February 25 fell on a Sunday.

Bongbong Marcos
Photo from Philippine Star

Critics called the non-declaration of February 25 as a holiday a “state-sponsored historical whitewashing”. Many people were disappointed. Recently, Malacañang released a series of declarations regarding the holidays next year.

February 25 which is usually declared as a regular holiday for the EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary remains not a holiday under the Marcos administration. Next year, February 25 will fall on a Tuesday.

The Palace has yet to speak on the non-declaration of February 25, 2025 as a holiday. It has also released the list of local holidays in November and December of this year.

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