The Philippine Government has officially declared May 14, 2018 as a Special Holiday

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 14, 2018 a nationwide special non-working holiday. This is to allow people to participate and vote in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

On May 2, 2018, Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 479. The Porclamation declares May 14, 2018 a Special Holiday to enable the people to fully exercise their right to suffrage.

The Barangay and SK elections were originally shceduled on October 23, 2017. However, Republic Act No. 10952 postponed the barangay and SK elections to May 14, 2018. Originally, the House of Representatives wanted to postpone the elections to October 2018, but this did not have enough support from the Senate.

Given that the elections were already postponed twice, it is good that it will finally take place on May 14, 2018.

The main reason for the postponement was to prevent any drug money from infiltrating and influencing the elections. According to the government, numerous Barangay Captains were involved in illegal drug trafficking. If the elections took place as originally scheduled, these Barangay Captains guilty of being involved in the drug trade could further entrench themselves in power if they won. 

Proclamation No. 479 States:

“Now, therefore, I, Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby declare Monday, 14 May 2018, as a special non-working day throughout the country,” the proclamation no. 479 read.

It was signed by Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.