Aquinos: Holiday move won’t diminish history

MANILA, Philippines — For the Aquino family, President Marcos’ decision to move the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day this year from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23 will not diminish the sacrifices of the slain senator and democracy icon.

“Moving a day of commemoration will not diminish the fact that Ninoy died fighting for the country and the people he so loved and his death sparked a revolution that ended Marcos Sr.’s authoritarian rule,” the family said yesterday.

Marcos on Thursday issued a proclamation moving the observance of Ninoy Aquino Day from Aug. 21 to Aug. 23 “to promote domestic tourism in the country.”

“In order to provide for a longer weekend thereby promoting domestic tourism, the celebration of Ninoy Aquino Day may be moved from 21 August 2024 (Wednesday) to 23 August 2024 (Friday), provided that the historical significance of Ninoy Aquino Day is maintained,” read the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Aquino, a leading opposition figure during the Marcos dictatorship, was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983 at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport, now renamed in his honor.

In a separate statement, the EDSA Campaign Network described Marcos’ directive to move the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day this year as another attempt to cause confusion.

“The assassination of Sen. Ninoy Aquino was the spark that united the Filipino people, which led to the downfall of the failed regime of Marcos Sr. It’s not surprising that his son would want this to be forgotten, especially now,” the group said.

“Holiday or not, the people will continue to observe the spirit of Aug. 21,” it added.

The statement was signed by over 50 groups and organizations, including the August Twenty One Movement, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Ateneo Martial Law Museum and Library, Liberal Party, Akbayan, Magdalo, Tindig Pilipinas and Project Gunita.

Last Friday, Liberal Party president and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman questioned Marcos’ order moving the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day.

He noted that the law allowing the President to move holidays mandates that the proclamation be issued six months before the holiday.