Spokesman: Palace to respect Arroyo’s holiday economics

Malacañang on Friday said it will respect the previous administration's "holiday economics" law that intends to perk up domestic tourism through long weekends. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he has received a lot of inquiries whether President Benigno Aquino III will follow the holiday economics law this year, in view of the coming death anniversary of his father, Benigno S. Aquino Jr. “As far as possible, President Aquino does not want to highlight the death anniversary or any anniversary of his parents just because of his position," Lacierda said. Republic Act 9492, rationalizing the celebration of holidays, was signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in July 2007. It requires that most holidays, except those with religious significance, be moved to the nearest Monday. August 21, the death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, falls on a Saturday. This means the holiday will be observed the following Monday, Aug.23, which coincides with the anniversary of the historic Cry of Pugad Lawin. The National Heroes’ Day, celebrated on the last Sunday of August, will be observed this year on the 30th, which is a Monday. The “movable holidays" for this year are Bataan Day (April 9), Labor Day (1 May), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day, Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30). Exempted from the holiday economics law are Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Eve (December 31), New Year’s Day (January 1), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Eid’l Fitre (October 13) and All Saints Day (November 1). — LBG, GMANews.TV