Declaring 21 September 2017 as a National Day of Protest

September 19, 2017

PROCLAMATION NO. 319

DECLARING THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2017, AS A NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST

WHEREAS, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that the prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people, and that the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights;

WHEREAS, the Martial Law era that began with the promulgation of Proclamation No. 1081 (s. 1972) has imprinted itself in the collective memory of the people as a time attended by the commission of gross human rights violations, arbitrary state interventions, rampant corruption, and disregard of fundamental civil liberties;

WHEREAS, this Administration recognizes the fear and indignation of the people against a repetition and perpetuation of such human rights violations and all other failings of the government;

WHEREAS, Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution guarantees the people's freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble, as well as to petition the government for redress of grievances;

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 292 (s. 1987) provides that the President may, by way of a proclamation, declare a status or condition of public moment or interest;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare Thursday, 21 September 2017, as a National Day of Protest, in solidarity with the people's call against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the people's desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability in government.

I urge all protesters to act within the bounds of the law, maintain a peaceful conduct of rallies, marches and demonstrations, be vigilant of possible infiltrators who may instigate violence in an effort to provoke the police and other law enforcement authorities, and avoid causing any undue inconvenience to their fellow citizens.

I hereby order all police and other law enforcement authorities to observe maximum restraint and maintain such distance from these assemblies and mass actions as may be necessary to allow protesters the full exercise of their rights within the bounds of the law.

I enjoin all local government units to dispense with the permit requirements for holding public assemblies, marches and demonstrations in areas within their jurisdiction during this National Day of Protest.

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

DONE in the City of Manila, this 19th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seventeen. CAIHTE

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 113, No. 40, p. 7277 on October 2, 2017.