President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared May 10, the day of the national and local elections, as a special non-working holiday across the country.

In Proclamation No. 2020, the President said the nationwide holiday on May 10 would “give the people the fullest opportunity to participate in the general elections."

The proclamation was issued a few days after President Arroyo vowed to leave a legacy of clean and credible elections and a smooth transition to a new government.