Forty years after a million Filipinos bravely confronted tanks, a similar surge of defiance erupted in the capital. Protesters once again occupied the streets, this time demanding an end to the entrenched power of political dynasties amidst growing outrage over a massive infrastructure scandal and its devastating impact on the nation’s poor.
The scene was steeped in irony. The very revolution that peacefully ousted Ferdinand Marcos Sr. now exists alongside his son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., holding the highest office in the land. Yet, the current administration offered a muted acknowledgment of the anniversary that forced the Marcos family into exile, a silence that fueled the renewed protests.
This year, February 25th was declared a “special working day,” a departure from its previous status as a nonworking holiday. This decision sparked further discontent, with many viewing it as a deliberate attempt to diminish the significance of the historic uprising.
“Declaring this a working holiday simply doesn’t make sense,” stated Daniel Franklin Pilario, president of Adamson University, amidst the throngs gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument. “A holiday is meant for remembrance and celebration. We protest by reclaiming it as a day for reflection and action, a day for our students and staff to participate.”
The core of the protest resonated with a deep-seated frustration: the persistent cycle of poverty fueled by the alleged misuse of public funds. Speakers passionately argued that resources intended for the people were instead diverted into the hands of powerful politicians, perpetuating inequality.
Estimates placed the crowd size at around 6,000, a diverse coalition of veteran activists, students, and religious leaders united under a powerful banner: “We are the People Power vs. Corruption and Dynasties Then, Now, Tomorrow.” Their collective voice demanded systemic change.
Rafaela David, President of Akbayan Party, called for an “electoral revolution,” a forceful rejection of the families who have long dominated Philippine politics. She specifically named the Marcoses and the Dutertes, arguing that Malacañang should not be a sanctuary for inherited power.
Party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that a genuine anti-political dynasty law is crucial to strengthening democracy and finally fulfilling a promise left unfulfilled by the original People Power Revolution. He stated it was time to break their grip on both the political and economic landscape.
The administration’s response was measured. A Palace Press Officer acknowledged the historical importance of the events, stating that the courage of the Filipino people and the revolution itself could not be erased from history. However, concrete action remained elusive, with a promise to “study” any bills to restore the holiday once presented.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) added a moral dimension to the uprising, issuing a pastoral letter that called for a national reckoning. They asserted that the nation continues to grapple with corruption, poverty, criminality, lies, and betrayal.
The CBCP letter boldly declared that the enemies were no longer foreign colonizers, but rather the insidious forces of corruption, deceit, injustice, and apathy. They urged Filipinos to extend their commitment beyond the church walls and demand accountability from those in positions of power.
The spirit of EDSA, it became clear, was not merely a memory of the past, but a living force demanding a future where power truly resides with the people and where the promise of a just and equitable society is finally realized.
