Palace declares June 30 as special non-working holiday

Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared June 30 as a special non-working holiday nationwide, a television report said Thursday morning. A GMA News' Flash Report said deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar confirmed that Mrs. Arroyo declared June 30, a Wednesday, a holiday to give way for the inauguration rites of President-elect Benigno Aquino III and Arroyo's last day in office.

The Palace is set to issue the formal proclamation later Thursday, the report added. — Nikka Corsino/LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV