Today, 36 years ago, a plain housewife was sworn in as the 11th president of the Republic of the Philippines, after a bloodless revolution that gathered hundreds of thousands of Filipinos along a stretch of EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare.
The plain housewife who would lead the Philippines from Feb. 25, 1986 to June 30, 1992 was President Corazon C. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) on Aug.21, 1983 after he came home from a three-year self exile in the United States.
A review of the Manila Bulletin edition on Feb. 26, 1986 featured on its front page, beside the story of Mrs. Aquino being sworn in as President, a story on former President Ferdinand E. Marcos taking his oath of office at Malacañang. Later that evening, Marcos and his family left for Hawaii.
The Manila Bulletin page one banner headline on its Feb. 26, 1986 issue said: “F.M. leaves R.P.” with subhead, “To seek asylum in US.”
Other page one headlines told of the entry of a new administration and the victory of the People Power Revolution: “Mrs. Aquino swore in as new RP president;” “Marcos takes oath but Tolentino not present;” “85% of AFP with us – Ramos;” “13 envoys back Aquino;” “Standstill in gov’t, business activities;” “Rebel troops take MIA.”
The significance of this relatively young special holiday should be told and retold through stories of what happened on the four days of what is now known as the EDSA People Power Revolution. These stories are in the archives of Manila Bulletin which celebrated its 122 year anniversary last Feb. 2.
Feb. 25 is the day we celebrate the spirit of the Filipino people, who in four days – from Feb. 22 to 25, 1986 – chose to be on the side of democracy through the simple act of being at EDSA.
For four days, the power of the people showed that the impossible can be possible. On Feb. 22, 1986, two top government officials in the Marcos administration – former Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and former vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and chief of the Philippine National Police Lt Gen. Fidel V. Ramos – declared that they no longer recognized the authority of then President Marcos.
The Manila Bulletin headline on Feb. 23, 1986, reporting on the Feb. 22 declaration, said: “Enrile, Ramos quit; conspiracy charged by FM.”
Thick crowds responded to the call of Cardinal Sin who urged people over the radio to “help protect Enrile and Ramos,” while Butz Aquino called on people to assemble at Isetann in Cubao then made their way to Camp Aguinaldo.
In the next day’s (Feb. 24, 1986) front page, the headlines unfolded history: “Bloody end feared as Ramos, Enrile turn down FM bid.”
Other headlines told of how the situation had affected other sectors: “Marcos refuses to quit;” “Conspiracy charge denied;” “Schools closed today;” “Metro panic buying noted;” “Peaceful solution sought;” “Aquino, Laurel hail rebellion.”
On the fourth day of People Power (Feb. 25, 1986), Manila Bulletin’s front page summarized what was anticipated to happen that day with two factions announcing their presence in Philippine politics. The banner headline said: “FM declares emergency; new Aquino government formed.” A subhead declared what was to happen: “Oath-taking rites set today” with the story on “President Marcos preparing to take his oath as re-elected president this morning in accordance with the election code, and yesterday declared the existence of a national state of emergency.”
Sharing page one of Feb. 25, 1986 edition were stories on: “Solons sign proclamation” (They proclaimed on Feb. 24, 1986 Mrs. Aquino and Salvador Laurel as “newly elected president and vice president, respectively in a gathering at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila”); “Enrile, Ramos bare defections (a joint statement on an “almost complete takeover and control of the new Armed Forces of the People”); and “Ramos men seize MBS-Channel 4” (the government-owned television station).
The archive of the Manila Bulletin is a treasure chest of historical information.
Today, 57 million Filipinos – or more than half of the country’s population – who were born after “EDSA” are enjoying democracy and the freedom of speech especially in social media.
Never forget EDSA!