Philippines: Warning against fake 'half-day holiday'

Manila: The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) clarified that the Malacañang Palace has not declared December 22, 2023 as a “special half-working day” and warned social media users to stay clear of fake news.

The fake report apparently started going around on social media on Thursday, with a fake “Proclamation No. 427”, which Malacañang denied.

A legitimate Presidential Declaration (PD) 427, signed on December 15, 2023, pertains to the nine national awardees honoured for their creativity, also known as “Manlilikha ng Bayan”.
In a Facebook post on December 21, 2022, the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, which publishes official communications of the national government, stated:
“ATTENTION: The document circulating as Proclamation No. 427, declaring Friday, 22 December 2023, as a special (half-working) day throughout the Philippines under the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is FALSE. It has been edited to appear as an official government declaration, but it lacks any official status or authentication.”

The Official Gazette, the national journal of the Republic of the Philippines, is edited at the Office of the President of the Philippines Under Commonwealth Act No. 638. 
“Citizens are strongly advised to seek information from legitimate government sources and avoid sharing unverified or manipulated content,” the Gazette warned.

It’s not immediately how the fake “Proclamation No. 427” started. It has reportedly been shared by numerous netizens.

PCO is the lead communications arm of the government, and the primary source of the Administration's messages.