Imee Marcos: 'Wise move' for Duterte to suspend work, classes on Sept. 21

A daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos said it was "a wise move" for President Rodrigo Duterte to declare September 21 a day of protest during which work in government institutions and classes in public schools would be suspended.

September 21 also marks the 45th anniversary of Marcos' declaration of Martial Law in 1972. Several protest actions have been scheduled on Thursday.

"I think it's a wise move and certainly will diffuse the tension," Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos said when asked about the suspension of work and classes.

"Kung may protesta, karapatan naman talaga nilang mag-protesta," she added.

Malacañang on Tuesday said that it would issue a memorandum circular suspending government work and classes in public educational institutions on September 21.

At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Malacañang would not declare September 21 a special non-working day.

"[September 21] is not a special non-working holiday. And we expect the proclamation shortly. However, the Acting Executive Secretary will issue a memorandum circular suspending work in government offices—both national And local—as well as classes in all public schools, state colleges and universities," Abella said.

"Suspension of work in private companies and classes in private schools in the affected areas is left to the discretion of their responsive heads," he added.

Duterte on Monday said he would declare September 21 a national day of protest amid plans of actions to commemorate the Martial Law declaration.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation of September 21 as a "day of protest" was as good as declaring September 21 a holiday. —NB, GMA News