February 10 2013 Chinese New Year Philippine holiday?

Is Chinese New Year 2013 a holiday in the Philippines?

Unlike in 2012, Chinese New Year (also referred to as Spring Festival) is not included as a special non-working holiday by President Benigno Aquino III in his Proclamation 459, which lists all legal holidays for 2013. Deputy Palace spokesperson Abigail Valte explained that there is no need to do that anymore since Chinese New Year 2013 falls on February 10, which is Sunday.

This logic is faulty since many companies especially those in the business process outsourcing industry require employees to work even during Sundays. A holiday declaration for February 10 would have entitled everyone who’ll render overtime service on that day an additional of 30% to their regular hourly pay.

In declaring Chinese New Year 2012 a special non-working holiday, Aquino noted that the said event is “one of the most revered and festive events” celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines “by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos.” Malacanang reiterated that this was done to “manifest the Filipinos’ solidarity with the Chinese-Filipino community.” Aquino is of Chinese descent.

PS: In connection with the celebration of the Chinese New Year, February 12, 2013 (Tuesday) has been declared as a public holiday in Singapore by the Ministry of Education.

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Mark Pere Madrona

The Filipino Scribe (TFS) is managed by Mark Pere Madrona, a multi-awarded writer and licensed professional teacher from the Philippines.

Mr. Madrona earned his master’s degree in history from the University of the Philippines-Diliman last 2020. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism cum laude from the same university back in 2010. His area of interests includes Philippine journalism, history, and politics as well as social media.

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