DOLE to employers: Feb. 25, EDSA anniversary, is ordinary working day

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday reminded employers that February 25, which marks the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, is an ordinary working day. 

In an advisory on its Facebook page, DOLE said employees in the private sector are entitled to 100% of their wage for the first eight hours of work. 

“For work done in excess of eight hours, the employer shall pay the employee an additional 25% of the hourly rate on said day (Hour rate of the basic wage x 125%),” the agency said.

If the employee does not work, the “no work, no pay” principle shall only apply “unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day.” 

In past years, February 25 was declared a special non-working day to mark the anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in February 1986.

In 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the only son and namesake of Marcos Sr., cited holiday economics and moved the February 25 special non-working day to February 24, a Friday.

In the following years, February 25 was not declared as a regular holiday or special non-working day.

This prompted lawmakers at the House of Representatives to file a bill seeking to declare February 25 of every year as a regular holiday. 

Malacañang said the President will study such proposals. — JMA, GMA Integrated News