Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero, May 20, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA –  Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero opposed increasing holidays in the country.

"Sa ngayon, mahigit 23 hanggang 25 local at national holidays natin. Wag na nating dagdagan," Escudero told reporters on Monday.

"Tandaan mo, 21 national holidays. There's at least one holiday per municipality. We're granting holidays in provinces that don't have a holiday yet. Pero 'pag meron na, wag nang dagdagan," he added.

Escudero noted that senators recently rejected a proposed holiday for a province that already has two holidays.

"Ito yung maliwanag na ebidensya na 'wag nang dagdagan [ang holidays] pero wag bawasan," he said.

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Escudero previously said, "Yung holiday nagkasundo ang Senado na limitahin ang mga holiday. Mahigit isang buwan na ang holiday sa buong bansa, which makes Philippine companies and workers less competitive."

He noted that the US celebrates Presidents' Day honouring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The day is sometimes understood as a celebration of all US presidents.

"Lahat nung magagaling nilang presidente, pinagsama-sama nila sa isang araw na lang na holiday. Tayo hindi eh, may Araw ng Kagitingan, may National Heroes Day, bawat bayani nung pinatay sila may holiday na naman diba,” Escudero said.

But he noted that this would require a lengthy discussion.

"Ang hirap naman pagdebatehan at mamili ng mga bayaning papayagang may holiday at yung isa hindi," he said.

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