'Moving Ninoy Aquino Day to Aug 23 illegal'

ALBAY 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman slammed the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to move the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day from August 21 to August 23 this year, noting it was illegal.

Citing holiday economics, Marcos, through Proclamation 665, moved the date of Ninoy Aquino Day to August 23 to give the public a four-day weekend, as National Heroes' Day falls on August 26, Monday.

«No holiday economics or domestic tourism boost can hold a candle to Ninoy's heroism,» Lagman said in a statement, adding the holiday should be commemorated on August 21, the day of Aquino's assassination in 1983.

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman. TMT file photo

Lagman said Marcos' order violated Republic Act 9492, known as An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays, noting Ninoy Aquino Day must be held on the Monday nearest August 21.

«In the event the holiday falls on a Wednesday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday of the week. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows: Provided, That for movable holidays, the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a non-working day,» the law read.