President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will spend part of the Holy Week in Ilocos Norte with his family but will continue overseeing government operations, Malacañang said.
In a brief interview during the opening of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Aliaga-Cabanatuan section, President Marcos said: “For the Holy Week, I will spend a few days in Ilocos Norte. And I will be back in Manila by the weekend.”
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the President’s trip should not be viewed as a vacation, emphasizing that Mr. Marcos will remain actively engaged in his duties.
“Sa Pangulo po, hindi po uso ang salitang ‘pagbabakasyon.’ So, sabi nga po niya, siya po ay mag-spend ng kanyang Holy Week sa Ilocos Norte kasama ang kanyang pamilya (In the President’s case, the word ‘vacation’ is not the norm. As he said, he will spend his Holy Week in Ilocos Norte with his family),” Castro said.
“Walang pagbabakasyon dahil patuloy po ang ating Pangulo sa pag-mo-monitor at pagbibigay ng utos sa mga kailangan na gawin ng ating mga ahensya sa gobyerno (There will be no vacation because our President continues to monitor the situation and issue orders on the tasks that our government agencies need to carry out),” she added.
Castro noted that specific details of the President’s travel schedule, including the exact departure date and time, were not disclosed.
Holy Week is one of the most significant religious observances in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, often marked by travel, family gatherings and religious activities.
Government operations typically scale down during the period, although essential services remain in place.
