Miss Universe coronation day not holiday

MANILA, Philippines - Jan. 30, when the grand coronation of the Miss Universe pageant will be held, is not a holiday, Malacañang said yesterday.

The Palace is also not declaring Jan. 27, the day before Chinese New Year, a holiday.

The two dates would be working days, according to the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.  

Early this week, a lawmaker asked President Duterte to declare Jan. 30 a non-working holiday to allow Filipinos to watch the Miss Universe pageant.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said the holiday would provide the public a break from “political noise.”  

Castelo said declaring the holiday would also spare Metro Manila from vehicular traffic.

The Miss Universe 2016 grand coronation night would be held at 8 a.m. (Philippine time) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.