MANILA - The United States Embassy said it will be closed on Wednesday after the Philippine government declared it as a special non-working holiday to give Filipino people the chance to honor former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino who passed away Saturday.

In a press statement released Tuesday, the US Embassy said that its Manila and affiliated offices will be closed on August 5, 2009.

“The Embassy is announcing the closure following a declaration by the Philippine Government that Wednesday, August 5, 2009, is a special non-working holiday in honor of the memory of former President Corazon Aquino.

It added that the Embassy will resume normal operations on Thursday, August 6.

President Arroyo also declared a 10-day period of national mourning from August 1 to 10 to honor the nation’s first female president.

President Aquino succumbed to colon cancer Saturday.

Her remains were briefly brought to the La Salle Greenhills gym in Mandaluyong City and later transferred to the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila for public viewing.

She will be buried next to her husband, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.