The Philippines marked on February 25 the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revoluton for the first time under the presidency of the son and namesake of ousted dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
The popular bloodless uprising ended the two-decade-long Marcos regime marred by corruption, cronyism, media repression, and human rights abuses.
During the imposition of Martial Law from 1972 until 1981, 70,000 people were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed, according to Amnesty International.
As we look back to a time in our history that divided the Filipino people, I am one with the nation in remembering those…
Posted by Bongbong Marcos on Friday, February 24, 2023
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in his message, said he is “one with the nation in remembering those times of tribulation and how we came out of them united and stronger as a nation.”
The younger Marcos described the peaceful uprising as a “time in our history that divided the Filipino people.”
“I once again offer my hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society — one that will pursue progress and peace and a better life for all Filipinos,” he said.
Marcos Jr. declared February 24 a special non-working holiday ahead of the commemoration of EDSA revolt.
The assassination of Marcos Sr’s political nemesis Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino sparked massive protests and civil unrest throughout the country, eventually leading to the installation of his widow, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, as the president during the People Power Revolution.
The Aquino Family, in a statement, said: “Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng mga tumututol sa pagbalik ng diktadurya at sa pagrerebisa sa ating nagkakaisang alaala.”
“Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng kumikilos para isabuhay ang diwa ng EDSA. Walang duda: buhay ang diwa ng EDSA.”
About 6 in 10 Filipinos believe the spirit of the EDSA Revolution is alive based on the results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey.
Marcos Jr. won via landslide in the May 2022 elections which experts and studies partly see as a result of his infamous family’s false narratives being propagated on social media.
[READ: TIMELINE: Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s journey to the presidency]
[READ: Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sworn in as 17th Philippine president]
Thumbnail photo made via Canva
