Filipinos can never be defeated if united, Vice President Leni Robredo declared Thursday as the country commemorated the 35th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
(Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
Robredo has appealed to Filipinos to show the same strength and faith showed in the EDSA revolt not only in battling the coronavirus pandemic but also in dealing with the "constant threat" on the country's democracy.
"Today, 35 years after, we renew our faith in this fundamental truth of EDSA: That our people, standing united, can never be defeated," she said. "We affirm this truth, even as we acknowledge that the promise of EDSA has not yet been completely fulfilled. Our democracy, ever fragile, is still under constant threat," she said.
Robredo warned about the alleged attempts to revise the country’s history "for the personal agenda of a powerful few." The country, she said, was still "in the process of forging the nation we dreamt of, and fought for, on EDSA."
The vice president recently won in the election protest lodged against her by former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. The 20-year dictatorial rule of Marcos was overthrown through a historic bloodless revolt of Filipinos in February 1986.
"The challenge now is this: We must find within ourselves that strength, that faith, that fire to continue the work that remains to be done. And in doing so, we must find a way to walk forward together," Robredo said.
"Ito ang pinakamahalagang aral ng EDSA, at ito rin mismo ang kailangan natin para malagpasan ang mga hamon ng pandemya at ng kasalukuyang panahon: Na ang sagot sa mga suliranin natin, hindi iisa, kundi bawat isa (This is the most important lesson of EDSA and this is what we need to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and the current times: Our answer to our problem is not one but each other)," she said.
She said Filipinos must march together bound by "collective resolve" to achieve the EDSA promise of a free, just and humane society.
"At dahil magkakasama tayo sa adhikaing ito, buo ang loob ko: Kayang-kaya nating abutin, kahit ang pinakamatatayog nating mga pangarap (And because we're working together for this goal, I am confident we can achieve even the highest of our dreams)," she said.