Aquino Abolishes Philippines’ Celebration of 4th of July Holiday

President Corazon Aquino on Wednesday scrapped July 4, anniversary of Philippine independence from the United States, as a holiday, saying there is no reason to celebrate ties of friendship with a former colonial master.

Filipinos observed the anniversary of independence on July 4, 1946, until the mid-1960s, when the date became known as American-Philippine Friendship Day. June 12, anniversary of independence from Spain in 1898, became the official independence day.

“There is no valid reason for a Philippine-United States Day,” Aquino said. Her spokesman, Teodoro Benigno, quoted her as saying, “We are friends, the United States and the Philippines, but we don’t have to have a holiday for it.”