Duterte Declares Sep. 21 As National Day Of Protest, Gov’t Work And Public School Classes Suspended

Government offices and public schools will have no work and no classes respectively on Sep. 21, after President Rodrigo Duterte declares it as a National Day of Protest. That day marks the day when former President Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law 45 years ago.

According to an Inquirer report, Presidential Spokeperson Ernesto Abella made the announcement during a Palace briefing for media. The Office of the Executive Secretary will issue an official memorandum circular soon.

Government Offices And Public Schools Only

The suspension of work and classes only covers government offices and public schools, state universities and colleges. It does not cover the private sector and private schools. Those in the private sector have to make their own announcements if they plan to join the day of protest.

According to another report in CNN Philippines, Abella clarified that Sep. 21 is not a non-working holiday. It is designated as the “National Day of Protest” when people can “exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and to seek redress for their grievances against the government, past or present.”

Progressive Groups To Commemorate Martial Law Declaration

Progressive groups such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will take to the streets on Sep. 21 to remember the declaration of martial law and the dark days that followed that announcement 45 years ago. According to an Inquirer report, Bayan is also protesting against the Duterte administration’s war against drugs and the human rights violations that come with it.

The NDRRMC had earlier scheduled a nationwide earthquake drill but decided to postpone it after the President declared work suspension.

President Duterte, speaking to media in Caloocan City on Monday, called on anyone and everyone who had a grievance against government to join the day of protest. He said, “All those who want to protest against the government, the police, everyone… you go down and we will protest.”