A threat to the memories of EDSA uprising

Groups of people, most dressed in black, congregate at the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, also known as EDSA Shrine, on Saturday, February 25, 2024. A program organized by activists was held later on in the day in commemoration of the 38th anniversary of People Power Revolution. Photo by API Desk. 

By Manuel Mogato | Date 02-25-2024

MANILA  — Thirty-eight years ago, a million people gathered at Manila’s major highway to stop a dictator from getting back at two men who dared to challenge him.

In the process, a frail and sick dictator was chased out of power, ending two decades of abuse and corruption that nearly bankrupt the country.

Democratic space was slowly restored, but it soon eroded, allowing another strongman to rise and pave the way for the return of the dictator’s son to power.

For many people who were at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to support the renegades — former defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile and former Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff General Fidel Ramos — the memories of the four-day uprising continue to live as there are efforts to rewrite the Constitution and restore the form of government introduced by the dictator in 1973.

The Catholic bishops, the middle forces, and the Left have started marching again in the streets to not only commemorate the “People Power” uprising, but also to register loud protests against Charter Change.

But the people must not be fooled by another protest against Charter Change in Cebu City.

Described as a prayer rally for peace, transparency, and accountability, the event was a protest rally led by former President Rodrigo Duterte against efforts to change the Constitution, which could end his daughter’s political career.

Except for the Cebu City mayor, no other local officials, even Duterte’s allies, want to be seen at the prayer rally.

It would be a political suicide for local government officials to be seen at the Duterte rally. Local officials would risk losing financial subsidies from the state a year before an election year.

No member of the Roman Catholic Church would take part in a not-so-religious event.

Catholic priests have not forgotten that once Duterte called God an idiot and cursed the Pope for causing traffic in Manila.

Besides, no matter how the organizers promised to stay away from lambasting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, there is no way they can stop Duterte from maligning the president, whom he has been accusing of supporting the Charter change proposals.

Duterte’s sons have joined him in attacking Marcos, with Sebastian, the mayor of Davao City, calling for his resignation.

It made Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s position awkward because she could not show her family her support and remained close to the president.

However, it was apparent the president’s wife and cousin despised her. Publicly, Liza Araneta-Marcos did not hide her animosity with the Vice President.

It’s just a matter of time before Marcos and Duterte-Carpio go on their separate ways, ending a political alliance based on convenience during the May 2022 elections.

The split is inevitable but there is no guarantee the protests against Charter Change will snowball into another popular uprising similar to what had happened in 1986 and 2001.

The situation in 1986 and 2001 are not the same as in today in 2024.

Unlike his late father and former president Joseph Estrada, Marcos is not accused of corruption and there were no serious allegations of human rights abuse.

Although the independence of a free press is still doubtful, the people’s emotions are not bottled up as they can freely rant on several social media platforms.

It appeared another “People Power” uprising would not have happened if that had been the intention of the Cebu City prayer rally.

Duterte has been trying to stir the hornet’s nest, agitating soldiers to move against the president by protecting the 1987 Constitution and calling on his supporters to take action.

His actions ran parallel to the Left, the Catholic Church, and the genuine political opposition, but his motive is far from noble.

Duterte’s intention is based on pure political greed, exploiting unsuspecting people to help install his daughter to power.

Sara Duterte-Carpio is just a step away from the presidency. The only obstacle is the president.

On the 38th anniversary of the “People Power” uprising that drove the dictator out of power, there are efforts to rekindle the spirit of EDSA.
One was motivated by a power grab, and the other was to remind people why they enjoyed democracy.

Let’s hope the Filipinos will make the right choice.