(Eagle News) – Malacanang has declared Monday, September 11, 2017, the 100th birthday of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte so the province can celebrate the birth anniversary of its favorite son.
“The Ilocano community has been annually celebrating the birthdate of the late Ferdinand E. Marcos and commemorating his life and contributions to national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legislator and former president,” stated Proclamation Number 310 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Ilocos Norte be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” said the proclamation dated September 6.
Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was born on September 11, 1917, in the town of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, to Mariano Marcos and Josefa Edralin, but grew in the nearby town of Batac.
He was the 10th president of the Philippines, and also served as congressman (1949 to 1959), senator (1959 to 1965), and as Senate President from 1963 to 1965.
He was then elected as President in 1965 and served until February 25, 1986, the date when he was ousted from Malacanang by what is called as the February 25 “EDSA Revolution.”
His declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972, had been widely criticized by political opponents, and his regime had been accused of human rights abuse and dictatorship by his critics, while Marcos’ loyalists and supporters, including those in the solid North, hailed him as almost a hero.
He was a soldier during World War II, and topped the Philippine Bar examinations in 1939 with a score of 92.35.
On November 18, 2016, the remains of Marcos was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Taguig, Metro Manila, despite strong protests and rallies from militants and other opposition groups.
(Eagle News Service)
