Duterte leaves Marcos holiday in Ilocos Norte to Congress

Marcos was born on Sept. 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. He became the 10th President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1965. (File Photo By Spec. 4 Dino Bartomucci, Public Domain)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will leave to Congress the fate of the bill declaring September 11 a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth anniversary of former president Ferdinand Marcos, Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Rerespetuhin po ng Presidente kung ano po ang magiging desisyon ng mga policy-maker sa Kongreso (The President will respect whatever the decision of Congress’ policy-makers would be),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 7137 which seeks to declare September 11 as “President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Day” in Ilocos Norte.

The bill was authored by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ria Fariñas, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, and Probinsyano Ako Rep. Rudys Caesar Fariñas.

The Senate must also pass a counterpart measure of HB 7137.

Congress then needs to ratify a reconciled bill before it can reach Duterte’s desk.

Roque said the Palace would respect Congress’ decision on the proposed measure.

“Iyan naman po ay katungkulan ng Kongreso. Rerespetuhin po kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng Kongreso (That’s the Congress’ job. We will respect whatever Congress’ decision would be),” he said.

In 2017, Duterte signed a proclamation, declaring September 11 as special non-working day in commemoration of Marcos’ birth anniversary.

Proclamation 310 signed on Sept. 6, 2017 said the Ilocano community should be given the opportunity to commemorate Marcos’ “life and contributions to national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legislator, and former president.”

Marcos was born on Sept. 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. He became the 10th President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1965.

Marcos’ remains were transferred to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City from the Marcos Museum and Mauseleum in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Nov. 18, 2016, or 10 days after the Supreme Court allowed his interment at the heroes’ cemetery.