Multisectoral groups march toward the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City to mark the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Malacañang said Tuesday it did not intend to erase the memories of the EDSA uprising by declaring February 25, 2025, only as a special working day.

Last year, Malacañang said it did not include February 25, 2024, in the list of special non-working days because the date fell on a Sunday.

In a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration would not hinder any organization or institution from commemorating the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the historic non-violent civil protest in 1986 that toppled the dictatorship of the father and namesake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

EDSA uprising 'not a mistake': Groups vow to keep spirit of people power alive

"As of now, February 25 is declared a special working day and I think it is the prerogative of the President. And when we say special working day, still there is encouragement to people to commemorate, to join any event" related to the EDSA revolt, said Castro.

Several schools and universities suspended classes on Tuesday to commemorate the EDSA People Power revolution despite the lack of an official holiday declaration from the government, noting the need to reflect on the event’s importance to the country’s history.

"They are given the freedom to do that kaya po hindi natin sinasabing ang Pangulo ay humahadlang sa anumang balakin ng anumang organisasyon, unibersidad sa kanilang mga gagawing activities. So, kung balak po nila talaga na sila ay walang klase, it’s up to them. Free po sila to do that," Castro said.

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to troop to the EDSA People Power monument Tuesday to commemorate the uprising and remember the people who sacrificed their lives to fight for the restoration of democracy under the brutal martial rule, said Maria Sol Taule of the human rights group Karapatan.

Taule said that there is a disinformation campaign targeting young people seeking to whitewash the abuses and atrocities under Marcos Sr.'s rule. She said there should be a pushback against these attempts while speaking the truth about the dictatorship.

Castro meanwhile said: "Papaano po mabubura ang history? History is history. So, hindi po kakayanin po lang ng Presidente na ito ay mabura sa ating history."

As of Tuesday noon, the Palace has yet to issue an official statement on the EDSA People Power anniversary.

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