PRRD: Value the freedom we won in EDSA
33rd EDSA Anniversary
President Duterte on Monday joined Filipinos in commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the People Power Revolution, urging them to appreciate freedom that was lost and eventually restored.
“May we all have a profound sense of appreciation and understanding of what we lost and what we reclaimed,” Duterte said in his EDSA day message.
“I am hopeful that this occasion will inspire all of us, especially the younger generation, to deeply value the freedom and liberty that we won in EDSA,” he added.
Duterte also asked Filipinos to never forget how our ancestors joined hands to topple a dictatorship under former president Ferdinand Marcos.
“Let us never forget the sacrifice of those who came before us so that we may always be motivated to preserve and protect the democratic way of life that we enjoy today,” he said.
The President noted how the peaceful revolution showed the world that “history can be rewritten” in nonviolent means.
He said EDSA People Powerwas an event that “brought together Filipinos from all walks of life” and eventually gave rise to a Philippines that was “reborn from the ashes of its tumultuous past.”
Duterte also reminded Filipinos to use the event as an inspiration to make wise decisions during the upcoming mid-term elections.
“As the entire nation prepares for the upcoming mid-term elections this May, let us always remember how this historic revolution restored our power to collectively chart our future through the ballot,” he said.
This is the third year that the President skipped anniversary rites. Malacañang said the President had “more pressing matters of the State” and has nothing to do with his closeness to the Marcoses who were ousted in the 1986 revolution, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
“While the President has to attend to more pressing matters of the State and may not be physically present during the commemoration of the People Power Revolution, he will, however, be there in union with the celebrators, as well as in recognition and reminder to all that our government is a fruit of democracy and our sovereignty resides in the people and all authority emanates from them,” Panelo said in a statement.
The President had two public events in Cebu on Sunday night -- the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) payout to beneficiaries and the PDP-Laban campaign rally.
He was scheduled to attend the 1st National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City yesterday.
February 22 not 25
Meanwhile, Meanwhile, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the leading figures of the peaceful revolt said the anniversary of the People Power should be celebrated on the 22nd of February not on the 25th .
“Sa akin, ang mahalaga ang Feb. 22 dahil ‘yun ang sigaw ng EDSA. Doon namin ipinusta ang buhay namin. Doon namin sinugal ang buhay namin para sa ganoon ay magkaroon ng benepisyo ang bansa (To me, February 22 is important because this signaled the EDSA People Power Revolution. It was on that date that we gambled with our lives for the benefit of the nation),” Enrile, 95 said in a radio interview.
On Feb. 22, 1986, Enrile then the defense minister and Philippine Constabulary (PC) chief Fidel Ramos announced their resignation from their respective posts in a press conference. By 9 p.m. of the same day, then Cardinal Archbishop of Manila Jaime Sin aired a message over Radio Veritas calling on Filipinos to aid the rebel movement forming along EDSA between Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. The announcement eventually drew hundreds of thousands of unarmed civilians.
“Sapagkat [noong] Feb. 25, 1986, tapos na ang labanan. Bumaba na ang Presidente ng Pilipinas. Umalis na ng Hawaii at nakapagsumpa na yung sumunod na Presidente (On February 25,1986 the fight was already over. Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos already stepped down from office, left for Hawaii and his successor already took her oath of office),” he explained.
When asked about the disillusionment of Filipinos who believe that the promise of EDSA has not been fulfilled since conflict persists between many political groups, Enrile said that is a hallmark of democracy.
“Walang mali (sa ating pamahalaan). Nasa uri ng gobyerno natin ‘yan. Ang gobyerno natin ay malaya, demokrasya, at iba-ibang grupo ang nasasali dyan. Iba’t ibang pananaw, iba’t ibang opinyon, at natural lamang na magkakaroon ng hidwaan, alitan, kompetisyon, pasikatan. Kailangang tatanggapin natin ‘yun dahil ang uri ng gobyerno natin ay demokrasya (There is nothing wrong with the government. That is the kind of government that we have. Our government is free, democratic. There are varied opinions, views and it is but natural for rivalry, competition, division to exist and hugging the limelight to get public approval),” he explained.
The veteran lawmaker also called on the young generation to live out the spirit of EDSA. “Let us continue commemorating the spirit of EDSA. That is the same reason why we remember Dr. Jose Rizal’s execution at the Luneta and the execution of Bonifacio. We must also remember the Cry of Balintawak, the Cry of Tirad Pass, Biak-na-Bato. These should be etched in the memories of our youths and in their hearts.”
The four-term senator is seeking another six-year term in the 24-member Senate in the midterm polls in May. (With a report from PNA)