Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, once a vocal critic of the dictatorship, is now under fire for defending the Marcos Jr. administration’s decision to downgrade the EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary to a special working holiday.

Treñas, who has previously claimed he was detained as an activist during Martial Law, justified the President’s move, saying: “It’s a presidential prerogative because it’s not a law,” he told a press conference on Monday, 24 February, on the eve of the anniversary.

On Tuesday, 25 February, the nation commemorated the historic uprising that toppled Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., the father of the current president.

Treñas also announced that the Iloilo City government would not suspend classes for the occasion, though private schools may do so at their discretion. He further defended his stance, citing labor policies:

“As mayor, I will not declare a holiday because this date is not marked red on our calendar. I could be held liable if I do — because in this city, we follow a ‘no work, no pay’ policy.”

His remarks sparked backlash, with Ilonggos resurfacing his past statements condemning authoritarian rule. Critics pointed to his history of warning against dictatorship — a stark contrast to his recent defense of the administration’s decision.

Meanwhile, three universities in Iloilo City — Central Philippine University, the University of the Philippines Visayas, and the Western Institute of Technology — suspended classes to honor the anniversary.

Despite the controversy, Treñas maintained that the spirit of EDSA should live on.

“What happened on EDSA was a very peaceful revolution, which never happened in any other place before,” he said, adding that it was the culmination of a long struggle that began even before Martial Law.

“It is important not to forget because democracy is really worth fighting for. Whether we make mistakes, in a democracy, there is always that chance for us to correct that mistake,” he added.