PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will declare October 26 as a holiday in Cebu in honor of the late Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.
Duterte made the announcement when he visited Vidal's wake at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at Sunday midnight, October 22.
Duterte decided to make a stop in Cebu after gracing the celebration of the Masskara Festival in Bacolod City.
The President, who was seated beside Vidal's surviving brother, Juanito, was joined by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma at the wake.
Vidal, who passed away on October 18, will be buried inside the mausoleum of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on October 26.
Earlier, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino sought approval to declare October 26 as a holiday due to Vidal's contribution to Cebu
Vidal became the Parish Priest of Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on August 26, 1981 and was installed as Archbishop of Cebu on September 18, 1982.
The late prelate was elevated to the College of Cardinals on April 24, 1985 and also became the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines from 1986 to 1987. (JKV/SunStar Cebu/With Nicko Tubo/SunStar Philippines)