MALACAÑANG announced that the regular Eid’l-Fitr holiday, or the end of Ramadan, will be celebrated as an official holiday on July 6, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Monday, citing Proclamation No. 6 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“The entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance of the Eid’l-Fitr,” the proclamation read.
The Supreme Court also issued an advisory declaring a court holiday on July 6 in the observance of the end of the Ramadan.
“In observance of Eid’l-Fitr, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio announces that July 6 is a non-working day for all courts nationwide,” the SC Public Information Office said in a statement, adding that Carpio made the announcement since Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno was on leave.
The Philippines, the first predominantly non-Muslim country to declare the Islamic holy day as an official holiday, has been observing the holiday since 2002 upon the enactment of Republic Act No. 9177, signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
But since Eid’l-Fitr is a movable feast, only the Office of the President can declare when the holiday should be celebrated upon the recommendation of the National Council on Muslim Filipinos.