Edsa at 40: Bill for Feb. 25 as non-working holiday to be filed
Akbayan party-list is set to file a bill declaring February 25 as a non-working holiday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, reigniting discussions on its historical significance.
Akbayan party-list representative Perci CendaƱa announced plans to file a bill on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, to declare February 25 as a permanent non-working holiday commemorating the Edsa People Power Revolution. CendaƱa made this announcement during an impromptu interview at the Edsa Shrine, where a prayer rally was taking place to celebrate the revolution's 40th anniversary. He emphasized that the observance should not be subject to political circumstances, stating "it should not be subject to political circumstances whether we observe it or not." The move comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. abolished the public holiday commemorating the Edsa anniversary in 2022, which had previously been observed as a special non-working holiday.
The 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution was a historic uprising where millions of Filipinos gathered along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Metro Manila, leading to the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. This followed the martial law period that Marcos Sr. imposed on September 23, 1972, during which human rights organizations documented over 70,000 unjust imprisonments and approximately 3,200 deaths according to Amnesty International. The revolution marked a pivotal moment in Philippine democracy and has been commemorated annually.
Despite the removal of the official holiday status by the current administration, several educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities have opted to suspend classes in recognition of the revolution's 40th anniversary. The proposed legislation aims to ensure consistent observance regardless of which administration is in power, making February 25 a permanent fixture in the national calendar. CendaƱa's announcement was made at the Edsa Shrine where church leaders, artists, and political figures gathered for a prayer rally commemorating the anniversary.
The timing of this legislative push coincides with renewed public interest in the Edsa legacy, as various groups organized commemorative events including prayer rallies and peaceful assemblies. Quezon City government officials clarified their policies on planned assemblies and rallies for February 25, 2026, indicating support for peaceful commemorations. The bill filing represents an effort by Akbayan to institutionalize the memory of the People Power Revolution and ensure future generations continue to recognize its significance in Philippine democratic history.
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