Akbayan pushes regular holiday status for EDSA anniversary

Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno has filed a measure seeking to declare 25 February of every year a regular national holiday in commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

House Bill No. 7911 was filed by Diokno along with fellow Akbayan Partylist Representatives Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao. The measure aims to honor the peaceful, non-violent uprising along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) that ended the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.

“February 25, 1986 is more than a date etched in history — it marks the moment when the Filipino people peacefully rose to reclaim their democracy. It stands as a testament to courage, unity, and the enduring power of collective action,” Diokno said.

“It is our responsibility to honor this defining moment with the full recognition and dignity it deserves as a regular national holiday,” he added.

Diokno noted that in recent years, the observance of 25 February has been inconsistently classified — declared a special non-working holiday in 2023, a regular working day in 2024, and a special working holiday in 2025 and 2026.

“This downgrading diminishes the historic and civic significance of EDSA. We must end the uncertainty and institutionalize its commemoration once and for all,” Diokno stressed.

If enacted into law, 25 February or EDSA People Power Day will be observed annually as a regular holiday, with all applicable laws and civil service rules governing regular holidays in effect.

The bill designates the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as the lead agency in organizing and coordinating nationwide commemorative activities. The NHCP will also provide opportunities for educational institutions, government agencies and civil society organizations to conduct programs aimed at preserving historical truth and promoting democratic values and human rights awareness.

“Institutionalizing EDSA People Power Day affirms that the spirit of people power remains central to our national identity,” Diokno said.

“Democracy survives not by accident, but because the people choose to defend it,” he added. 

A measure was filed by Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno to declare 25 Februaryof every year a regular national holiday in commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution.

House Bill No. 7911 was filed by Diokno together with fellow Akbayan Partylist Representatives Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao, to honor the peaceful, non-violent uprising along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) that ended the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.

“February 25, 1986 is more than a date etched in history — it marks the moment when the Filipino people peacefully rose to reclaim their democracy. It stands as a testament to courage, unity, and the enduring power of collective action,” Diokno said.

“It is our responsibility to honor this defining moment with the full recognition and dignity it deserves as a regular national holiday,” he added.

The solon noted that in recent years, the observance of 25 February has been inconsistently classified — declared a special non-working holiday in 2023, a regular working day in 2024, and a special working holiday in 2025 and 2026.

“This downgrading diminishes the historic and civic significance of EDSA. We must end the uncertainty and institutionalize its commemoration once and for all,” Diokno stressed.

If enacted into law, 25 February or EDSA People Power Day will be observed annually as a regular holiday, with all applicable laws and civil service rules governing regular holidays in effect.

The measure designates the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as the lead agency in organizing and coordinating nationwide commemorative activities.

The NHCP is also tasked with providing an opportunity for educational institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations to conduct programs that preserve historical truth and promote democratic values and human rights awareness.

“Institutionalizing EDSA People Power Day affirms that the spirit of people power remains central to our national identity,” Diokno said.

“Democracy survives not by accident, but because the people choose to defend it,” he added.

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