Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman (Facebook)

Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman reminded the government that movable holidays should be proclaimed six months prior to actual holiday, as he stressed that changing the date of Ninoy Aquino Day from Aug. 21, Wednesday to Aug. 23, Friday violates the law.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, President Marcos announced that the holiday’s observance has been pushed forward to Friday, which would clump it together with the long weekend that would end with the National Heroes Day on Monday, Aug. 26.

Lagman said this was an obvious violation of law as it should have been announced by President Marcos six months before the date of the holiday.

Specifically, the veteran lawmaker noted that the Palace announcement it violates a provision in Republic Act (RA) No. 9492 or An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays.

Under RA No. 9492, the Ninoy Aquino Day may be celebrated on the Monday nearest Aug. 21 unless modified by law or proclamation.

 “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 nonworking day,” the law read.

As announced by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the date of the nationwide holiday was moved in pursuit of “promoting domestic tourism” provided that its historical significance is maintained.

Lagman, president of the Liberal Party (LP), emphasized that aiming to boost domestic tourism will never hold a candle to Aquino’s heroism.

“Ninoy Aquino’s death must be celebrated on the day of his assassination which falls on Aug. 21,” he asserted.

Established in 2004, the Ninoy Aquino Day commemorates the assassination of the late former senator and opposition leader during the time of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

“The dates of national memorials must not be changed to dilute its significance and accommodate revisionism,” said Lagman.

“It is in the same manner that we cannot change the dates of Christmas Day on Dec. 25, New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, the culmination of the foiur-day EDSA revolution on Feb. 25,  Labor Day on May 1 and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8,” he noted.