Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 25) — On the 37th anniversary of the EDSA revolution that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Aquino family and opposition figures highlighted the heroism of Filipinos who fought for democracy.
\”Today, we remember the heroism of the Filipino people who fought to end the Marcos dictatorship, thus restoring democracy in our country,\” the Aquino family said in a statement on Saturday.
‘2’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘\”We believe that the indomitable spirit exemplified by one Filipino nation 37 years ago remains alive to this very day,\” it continued.
Marcos’ 21-year-long presidency is remembered for human rights abuses and kleptocracy. Filipinos peacefully revolted against the dictatorship, resulting in his ouster on Feb. 25, 1986.
After Marcos and his family left the country, the late Cory Aquino was elected 11th President of the Philippines. Her husband, the late senator Ninoy Aquino, was a vocal critic of Marcos. His assassination upon returning from exile in the U.S. on Aug. 21,1983 sparked a massive protest movement against the Marcos regime.
Former vice president Leni Robredo likewise recalled EDSA’s impact among Filipinos.
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Sa paggunita sa 1986 People Power Revolution, ating balikan ang diwa na naging inspirasyon sa daigdig noon. Labas sa kulay at apelyido, sumubaybay ang mundo sa tapang ng nagkakaisang taumbayan. Naging tanglaw ang Pilipinas sa iba na magsimula ng kanilang makasaysayang paglaya. pic.twitter.com/L3AAtexfda
— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) February 25, 2023
[Translation: Regardless of color and name, the world witnessed the courage of a united people. The Philippines became a beacon for others to begin their historic liberation.]
In the 2022 elections, Robredo ran for the presidency, spearheading the iconic pink movement. She was the closest rival of now-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son of the ousted late president.
Meanwhile, former Senator Leila De Lima — opposition icon, human rights advocate, and staunch critic of the Duterte administration — likened her situation to the Filipinos who fought for democracy during the EDSA revolution.
Despite being detained for six years now on drug-related charges — which were based mostly on testimonies of convicted felons who later recanted their statements — De Lima said her advocacies could not be silenced and that she would continue to fight for democracy.
\"Dahil hangga't may mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa Pilipinas, nagmamalasakit sa kapwa Pilipino, mulat sa katotohanan at tumitindig para sa Hustisya, laging mabubuhay ang diwa ng EDSA,\" she said. \"Hinding-hindi nila ito mabubura!\"
[Translation: As long as there are Filipinos who love the country, care about their countrymen, and are aware of the truth and fight for justice, the spirit of EDSA will live on. This cannot be erased.]
Sentiments of ordinary Filipinos
Filipinos adorned in yellow and pink — colors associated with Aquino and Robredo — flocked to the EDSA Shrine on Saturday to commemorate the peaceful revolution that ousted the elder Marcos.
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Crowd gathers at the EDSA shrine to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the People Power Revolution.@cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/2XtYztJS83
— Kaithreen Cruz (@kaithreencruz) February 25, 2023
