Malacañang has declared Monday, November 25, as a special non-working holiday in Zamboanga City to make way for the conduct of the special barangay elections here.
Presidential Proclamation 684 signed by President Aquino on November 13, also includes the province of Bohol where a similar special barangay polls will be held.
The barangay elections in the two areas were deferred earlier due to the three-week armed conflict in Zamboanga City and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake which struck Bohol.
The declaration of the special, non-working holiday was promulgated in order to give residents the fullest opportunity to participate in the elections and exercise their right to vote.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Beng Climaco urged all election candidates to strictly comply with all rules and regulations enshrined in the Omnibus election code. Campaign period is expected to run from November 15 – 23. Despite this, the citywide curfew will remain in place from 12 midnight to 4 am. (Jasmine Mohammadsali)