MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has clarified that Wednesday, February 18, 2026, is a regular working day, debunking rumors of a mid-week public holiday.
Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro issued the clarification on Tuesday, noting that while the date carries immense religious significance for both Muslims and Christians, it has not been declared a national holiday.
Religious Convergence
The clarification comes as two major religious seasons begin on the same day:
- First Day of Ramadan: February 18 marks the start of the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection for the Muslim community. The Palace noted that the first day of Ramadan has never been traditionally declared a national holiday in the Philippines.
- Ash Wednesday: For Catholics and many other Christians, the date signals the start of Lent, the 40-day penitential season leading up to Easter.
Holiday Schedule Reminder
To avoid confusion, the Presidential Communications Office reminded the public of the week’s actual holiday status:
- Tuesday, February 17: Declared a special non-working holiday nationwide in celebration of the Chinese New Year.
- Eid al-Fitr (March): While the start of Ramadan is a working day, the conclusion of the holy month—Eid al-Fitr—will be declared a regular holiday once the date is confirmed in March, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9177.
The Palace urged the public to refer to official proclamations regarding the 2026 holiday calendar to ensure accurate work and school scheduling.
Despite being a working day, religious leaders have called for interfaith solidarity as the two major faiths begin their respective periods of fasting and spiritual discipline simultaneously.