Aquino to visit parents' graves on Nov 2

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is spending All Saints' Day, November 1, privately and quietly and will visit the graves of his parents, Sen. Noynoy and President Corazon Aquino, on November 2 instead.

In a text message to Malacañang media, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said Aquino is having "private time today to rest after hectic trip. Family has always gone to Memorial Park either on Oct 31 or Nov 2."

He added that cemeteries and memorial parks are crowded on November 1 because many Filipinos visit the graves of their loves ones on that day, instead of November 2, All Souls' Day. "On Nov 1, masyadong maraming tao, less likely for them to have quiet time while honoring parents," Coloma said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President opted to visit on November 2 to allow some privacy for himself and his siblings and let the public visit his parents on November 1.

“The family chose to visit Manila Memorial Park to visit the tombs of their parents tomorrow so they will have the privacy to pray. If the President goes there now, malilimit time ng kababayan natin to go to the tombs themselves. From what I understand yes (sabaysabay) I know the president will be going with his sisters.”

The President himself told reporters on Sunday that he will likely visit his parents' graves on November 2 but only after discussing the matter with his sisters, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris.

"Gusto namin ng oras para makapagdasal ng maayos, magunita ang aming mga magulang. Pag nakipagsisiksikan tayo ng November 1 maraming masyadong kasing ano, dumadami ang kasama namin sa puntod, hindi kami nakakadasal. So it's normally October 31 or November 2. So kadadating ko lang ngayon, siguro November 2 na kami," he said.

Valte, meanwhile, reiterated her message last week for a peaceful commemoration of All Saints’ Day. She also reminded the public to prepare for possible rains.

Aquino defends no holiday on Nov 2

Private time for the President, however, also seems to involve a little work as well as some personal errands such as going to the dentist.

Aquino told media, “Meron silang binigay sa akin na trabahong papeles na dapat raw aaksiyunan ngayong gabi so iyon muna ang aasikasuhin ko. Dentista ko kailangan ko ring makausap ngayong gabi, magpacheck-up. Bukas, siguro magmonitor natin lahat ng mga pagdalaw sa puntod para siguradong nasa ayos.”

The President also stood by his decision not to declare a holiday on November 2, All Souls' Day.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival from Vietnam on Sunday, Aquino said he decided against declaring another holiday after receiving complaints from daily wage earners.

"Umaalma ang mga taong arawan ang suweldo. Pag dumadami raw ang holiday, paano naman ang suweldo nila. Kailangan nating balansihin," he said.

He added that the labor department also suggested that holidays be declared on Fridays instead of Mondays.

"Ang sabi rin ng labor, ang pinakamahirap na bigyan ng holiday yung Monday parang na-affect ang buong linggo, yun ang nirereklamo ng ibat ibang negosyo na kung puwede, sa katapusan na lang ng linggo, which is Friday normally," he said.

"But in this case nga palagay ko marami-raming nag-alisan since Friday, at yung kapakanan ng marami nating kababayan ng arawan ang suweldo ang kailangan nating tugunan dahil job generation ang una nating minungkahi," he added.

Aquino’s non declaration of several holidays has become another point of comparison between him and predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who instituted the holiday economics scheme to bolster local tourism by declaring many long holidays.

RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News