Marcelino Libanan 鈥擟ONGRESS.GOV.PH
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� People voting in the 2025 midterm elections have the 1986 People Power Revolution to thank as the peaceful movement restored many civil liberties like suffrage, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said on Tuesday.
In a statement on the 39th Commemoration of the People Power Revolution, Libanan said that the spirit of 鈥楨dsa鈥欌�攐r Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, the main stage of the peaceful movement in 1986鈥攔emains strong and lives on within the country鈥檚 democratic institutions.
鈥淭he spirit of Edsa lives on in our democratic institutions and in our daily lives,鈥� Libanan said.听 鈥淪ince Edsa, and because of Edsa, we have been able to freely elect our national leaders 鈥� from the President down to local officials 鈥� while upholding the principles of democracy and good governance.鈥�
鈥淚n fact, in just a few weeks, we will be holding the May 12 midterm elections, giving every Filipino the opportunity to freely choose our representatives in Congress and local government,鈥� he added.
Libanan also said that the core values upheld during the revolution are still relevant up to the present.
鈥淸鈥 The core values upheld by EDSA鈥攖ransparency, accountability, and respect for human rights鈥攔emain relevant today as the nation continues to safeguard its democracy,鈥� he noted.
Thirty-nine years ago, the popular revolt marked the end of over two decades of rule of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., which was marred by political and economic instability, civil unrest, and human rights violations.
After the Marcoses鈥� exile, Corazon Aquino became president and allowed the creation of a new basic law: the 1987 Constitution.
However, initially, there were fears that the revolution鈥檚 lessons might not be commemorated now that Marcos鈥� son and namesake, President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr., has won the 2022 presidential elections and is in power.
Malaca帽ang on Tuesday maintained that the public is still free to commemorate the People Power Revolution, adding that the government will not hinder any activity related to the peaceful movement.
鈥淔eb. 25 is declared as a special working day, and I think it is the prerogative of the President,鈥� Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said earlier.
鈥淲hen we say special working day, still there is encouragement to the people to commemorate, to join any event and it will not hinder any activity to commemorate Edsa People Power,鈥� she added.
READ: Palace: Public still free to commemorate Edsa people power听
Opposition leaders like former Sen. Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno have called on Filipinos to keep the spirit of Edsa by being courageous and voting for the right candidates in the upcoming elections.
鈥淲e are once again being asked to forget. To look away as history is rewritten, as our institutions are hollowed out, as those who orchestrated suffering are not only welcomed back into power but celebrated,鈥� De Lima said in a statement.
READ: De Lima on 39th Edsa Revolt anniversary: Filipinos must choose courage
鈥淭he Edsa People Power 1 restored our trust in the electoral system and regained our right to choose our preferred candidates without fear,鈥� Diokno, son of martial law critic and human rights crusader Jose 鈥淜a Pepe鈥� Diokno, said in a separate statement.
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