WHEREAS, Saturday, March 22, 2008 falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday;

WHEREAS, Saturday, falling between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, has been declared a special day throughout the country in the past;

WHEREAS, the observance of Holy Week is one of our people's most cherished traditions;

WHEREAS, our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDUARDO R. ERMITA, Executive Secretary by authority of her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, do hereby declare Saturday, March 22, 2008, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.

Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the Executive Secretary:

(Sgd.) JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary