Thousands of protesters, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, marched along EDSA Ortigas on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 25 to commemorate the 40th year of the EDSA People Power Uprising. Despite several attempts to block the program, the 12,000-strong contingent has succeeded in launching their program in front of the EDSA Shrine.
The groups continued to call for the accountability of public officials involved in corruption schemes in the national government, mainly the incumbent president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, and vice president Sara Duterte.
The real spirit of EDSA
Groups involved in the protest have declared that the mobilization showcased the real spirit and essence of the People Power, reminding that primarily, the peaceful protest four decades ago sought to change the broken system riddled with corruption.
“The February 25 EDSA People Power protest is an annual event that seeks to honor history and to remind the people that it is an avenue where we can demand our rights to be met,” said BAYAN National Capital Region (NCR) in a statement.
The group also slammed the “no permit, no rally” policy implemented by the local government unit, stating that the move was a clear sign of repression and a violation of the people’s right to freedom of speech and expression.
“These moves to curtail our democratic freedom betray the essence of EDSA People Power. The people fought for these rights to be enjoyed forty years ago. We must condemn all the efforts of the State to silence us, especially when we use our voices to drumbeat our campaigns and forward our just causes,” BAYAN NCR continued.
Meanwhile, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, the President of Caritas Philippines, highlighted the essence of EDSA in his speech during the program in EDSA Shrine.
He stressed the necessity for people to come together and unite to fight the evils and structural injustices that affect society.
“Kung may baha ng korapsyon at injustice, dapat mas malakas ang baha ng ating response.
Let us flood the streets — hindi para manggulo, kundi para magpahayag nang mapayapa laban sa korapsyon at kawalan ng katarungan. Let us flood social media with truth, not disinformation or misinformation. Let us flood the social media with hope, and not hate. Let us flood our workplaces with integrity at paninindigan para sa just wages at humane working conditions.
Let us flood our communities with solidarity para sa Indigenous peoples at mga magsasaka.
Let us flood our institutions with demands for transparency at tunay na reporma.
Let us flood our homes and churches with courage — tapang na magsalita kapag may mali,” said Bishop Alminaza in his speech.
People power
“Just like the People Power, we forward our genuine demands for livable wage, job security and housing, and adequate public service. This is also an avenue to direct our rage against the rampant corruption perpetuated by the Marcos-Duterte administration,” said BAYAN NCR.
For the group, the calls and issues presented in the #EDSA@40 protest seemed to be reminiscent of the first People Power.
“EDSA People Power proves that we have the formidable power to decide who stays in power and who doesn’t. Millions have fought and called not just for the dictatorship to end, but also the corruption that feeds its broken system. That statement still resonates today. As long as corruption persists and the system is still for the few, history will repeat itself. The people will never abide by the State’s efforts to muzzle dissent. It is in our unity that we can find our strength,” BAYAN NCR stated.
For Bishop Alminaza, the challenge was not just to hold those involved in corruption accountable, but also to remain engaged in the fight against injustice.
“Habang ang panawagan natin ay “Lahat ng sangkot, ay dapat managot!”
Panawagan din natin na “Lahat ay dapat makisangkot, lahat tayo ay tinatawag na maging baha kontra inhustisya!”
Ang EDSA ay hindi lang alaala ng nagawa natin noon. Ito ay tanong sa atin ngayon: Ano ang gagawin natin? May we not only remember the 1986 EDSA People Power Uprising. May we practice it — with courage, discipline, and love — hanggang ang structural injustice ay mapalitan ng dignity, accountability, at hope para sa lahat,” the Bishop ended.
