The University of the Philippines (UP) System appealed for class and work suspensions on February 25 to commemorate the 39th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution.
In a letter addressed to UP President Angelo Jimenez, various sectoral regents have requested the administration to declare the said date a non-working holiday in the university.
The letter cited the premier state university’s “crucial role” in the resistance that toppled martial law of the first Marcos administration, which was plagued with human rights violations.
It also asserted that this request comes at a time when threats to democracy remain amid economic and social problems the country continues to experience to this day.
“In our commitment to honor and excellence in the service of the people, we must take a stand as a University,” the groups asserted.
Earlier, class suspensions have been declared in other universities such as the University of Santo Tomas, while De La Salle University is set to observe an “Alternative Learning Day.”
Other Catholic schools, such as La Salle Greenhills and Saint Pedro Poveda College, already announced their own class suspensions on February 25.
The EDSA People Power Revolution took place between February 22-25, 1986 that saw strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. deposed from power after 20 years.
The EDSA anniversary used to be a special non-working holiday, but it was downgraded to a regular day when President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was elected as 17th head of state in the Philippines.