EDSA People Power must be commemorated -Senate minority

The Senate’s two-member minority bloc underscored on Tuesday the importance of commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution, not just for its historical significance but also due to the ongoing injustices in the country.

In a message to reporters, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III stressed that the 1986 uprising should be celebrated for what Filipinos fought for.

“Dapat i-celebrate. That’s part of history... Something to be proud of because the Filipinos stood for, fought for, and were willing to die for some intangible matters like democratic principles, good governance, people empowerment,” Pimentel said.

(It should be celebrated.) 

His father, the late Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., was among the key figures who opposed the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros criticized Malacañang’s decision not to suspend work and classes for the 39th EDSA anniversary. 

However, she commended schools and youth groups for leading commemorative activities “even without a state holiday.”

“Kaya kahit ilang holiday pa ang i-cancel ng Malacañang, mananatiling buhay ang diwa at mensahe ng People Power—lalo na sa kabataang Pilipino na naninindigan at nagsasalita para sa kalayaan, hustisya at sama-samang pagasenso,” Hontiveros said.

(No matter how many holidays Malacañang cancels, the spirit and message of People Power will remain alive—especially among the Filipino youth who stand firm and speak out for freedom, justice, and collective progress.)

She urged Filipinos to persist in advocating for what is right.

“Huwag tayong mapagod, magsawa at matakot na kumilos para sa tama, lalo na ngayong nag-aaway ang mga kampo ng Marcos at Duterte na parehas nagnanais na maghari-harian sa bansa. Now more than ever, we must not stay silent."

(Let us not grow tired, weary, or afraid to take action, especially now that the Marcos and Duterte camps are at odds, both seeking to dominate the country. Now more than ever, we must not stay silent.)

Having participated in the 1986 revolution, Hontiveros emphasized the need to “speak truth to power, overcome disinformation and historical distortion, and resist corruption, violence, and the lust for power among those who are supposed to serve the nation.”

She reminded the public that, despite the dictator’s removal in 1986, the fight for clean governance and national progress was far from over.

“Buhay na buhay pa rin ang korapsyon, cronyism at pamamayagpag ng oligarkiya sa lipunan. Naghihirap pa rin ang marami sa maliit na sweldo, mataas na presyo ng bilihin at kulang na pabahay. Nariyan pa rin ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, ang kawalan ng hustisya at ng pagkakapantay-pantay,” she said.

(Corruption, cronyism, and oligarchic control remain deeply entrenched. Many Filipinos continue to struggle with low wages, high prices of goods, and a lack of housing. Abuse of power, injustice, and inequality persist.)

“Marami pa tayong kailangan pagsumikapan bago makamit ang pangakong hatid ng EDSA People Power Revolution."

(We still have a long way to go before we can fully realize the promise of the EDSA People Power Revolution.)

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared this year’s EDSA anniversary a special working day, but several schools suspended classes to mark the occasion.

The 1986 uprising led to the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and the installation of Corazon Aquino, widow of assassinated senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., as president. — DVM, GMA Integrated News