Holiday detail
Ninoy Aquino Day
Ninoy Aquino Day remembers the August 21, 1983 assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the political earthquake that followed.
Quick facts
Meaning and traditions
Ninoy Aquino Day marks the assassination of former senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. on the tarmac of Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983. The killing helped set in motion the protests and political shifts that culminated in the EDSA People Power Revolution three years later.
It's a civic remembrance day, not a celebratory one — a chance to think about public service, sacrifice, and what it actually costs to push back. August 21 is fixed, so its long-weekend value just depends on the weekday it lands on this year.
A bit of history
At around 1:00 p.m. on August 21, 1983, Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. was shot in the head as he stepped off China Airlines Flight 811 at Manila International Airport. He had returned from exile in the United States to challenge the Marcos regime, fully aware of the threat. The Agrava Board, formed under public pressure, eventually concluded that the killing was a military conspiracy, not the act of a lone gunman as initially claimed.
His funeral procession in Metro Manila drew more than two million people and is widely regarded as the spark that re-energized the anti-Marcos movement. Less than three years later, the four days of EDSA People Power restored democratic rule. The airport where he was killed was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in 1987 to mark the place that changed the country's direction.
Source: Official Gazette: Republic Act No. 9492 declaring August 21 a special non-working holiday
What's open and what's closed
Open
- Malls (SM, Ayala, Robinsons, Megaworld): regular hours, with normal cinema and supermarket schedules
- Convenience stores, drugstores, fast food, and food delivery (Grab, Foodpanda): no change
- NAIA terminals and all commercial flights: full operation
- LRT, MRT, PNR, and provincial bus terminals: regular schedule
- Most BPOs and private offices: typically operate, but holiday pay rules still apply
Closed
- Government offices: SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, LTO, DFA, BIR, City Halls
- Public schools at all levels (private school coverage varies by school memo)
- Banks: BSP usually keeps clearing closed; branch operations follow the proclamation, so check your bank's advisory
- Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
Because Ninoy Aquino Day is a special non-working holiday, retail and food service stay open as usual. The day affects government and banking more than your grocery run.
Holiday pay: worked example
Ninoy Aquino Day is a special non-working holiday. The rule of thumb: no work, no pay (unless your company policy or CBA says otherwise). If you do work, you get extra. Worked example uses a ₱700 daily rate.
| Scenario | Pay |
|---|---|
| If you don't work (no company policy granting pay) | ₱0 |
| If you don't work (company grants holiday pay) | ₱700 (per company policy/CBA) |
| If you work 8 hours | ₱910 (130% of daily rate) |
| If you work 8 hours and it's your rest day | ₱1,050 (150% of daily rate) |
| Overtime on the holiday (per hour beyond 8) | ₱147.88/hr (hourly rate × 130% × 130%) |
- Special non-working holidays follow the 'no work, no pay' principle by default. Many companies still pay it as a courtesy, but it's not statutory.
- If you work, the premium is 30% on top of your daily rate for the first 8 hours.
- Compare this to Independence Day (regular holiday): same scenario pays 200%, not 130%. The holiday type matters more than the calendar date.
Long-weekend note
This holiday creates a 3-day weekend from August 21-23, 2026.
No extra leave day is needed for this break.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ninoy Aquino Day in 2026?
Ninoy Aquino Day 2026 falls on Friday, August 21, 2026.
What does Ninoy Aquino Day mean?
Ninoy Aquino Day marks the assassination of former senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. on the tarmac of Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983. The killing helped set in motion the protests and political shifts that culminated in the EDSA People Power Revolution three years later.
Is Ninoy Aquino Day a regular or special holiday in the Philippines?
It's a special non-working holiday. If you do report to work, you're entitled to extra pay under the Labor Code's special-day rules.
Does Ninoy Aquino Day 2026 make a long weekend?
Yes. Ninoy Aquino Day 2026 forms a 3-day weekend from August 21-23, 2026. You don't need to file any leave.
What are common traditions for Ninoy Aquino Day in the Philippines?
Common observances: civic remembrance, history discussions, public service reflection.
Under what law is Ninoy Aquino Day a Philippine holiday?
Republic Act No. 9492 sets August 21 as a permanent special non-working holiday in the Philippines, named after Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. The classification means 'no work, no pay' is the default rule, unless your company policy or CBA grants holiday pay.
Are malls open on August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day?
Yes. SM, Ayala, Robinsons, and other mall chains operate on regular hours on Ninoy Aquino Day. Cinemas, food courts, and supermarkets follow their normal schedule. Government service kiosks inside malls (DFA, SSS, LTO satellites) follow the holiday and stay closed.
Are banks open on Ninoy Aquino Day?
Usually no for branches. BSP-supervised banks normally suspend over-the-counter operations on Ninoy Aquino Day, while online banking, ATMs, GCash, Maya, and InstaPay stay up. Check your bank's holiday advisory the week before, since coverage can shift if the date falls beside another holiday.
What's the pay rule if I work on August 21?
Working on a special non-working holiday gets you 130% of your daily rate for the first 8 hours. If it's also your scheduled rest day, that goes up to 150%. Overtime adds another 30% on top of the holiday hourly rate.
Why is NAIA named after Ninoy Aquino?
The airport was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 1987, four years after his assassination on its tarmac in 1983, under Republic Act No. 6639 signed by President Corazon Aquino. The renaming marked the place that triggered the events leading to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
Is Ninoy Aquino Day a non-working day every year?
Yes, by law. RA 9492 sets August 21 as a permanent special non-working holiday in the Philippines. Unlike movable holidays, it doesn't need a fresh proclamation each year, though the President can still adjust observance dates for the 'holiday economics' rule when the day lands midweek.