The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in coordination with the Spirit of EDSA Foundation (SOEF), Quezon City Government, Church organizations, and other national and local government agencies, gather at the EDSA Monument in Quezon City to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with the theme “EDSA 2023: Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Pagbangon” on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.
The Aquino family asserted that the spirit of EDSA is undoubtedly alive. They also spoke out against attempts at dictatorship and historical revisionism.
Photo by Noel Pabalate | MANILA BULLETIN
‘EDSA spirit is alive’: Aquino family speaks against historical revisionism
Feb 25, 2023 07:00 AM
At a glance
While members of the family of democracy icons—former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Aquino—believe that the spirit of the bloodless 1986 people power revolt is still alive today, they spoke out against attempts at dictatorship and historical revisionism.
Though largely away from public eye since former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died in 2021, the Aquino family joined the nation in commemorating the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, a historic event that ended the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 and elected the Aquino matriarch to the presidency.
“The EDSA People Power Revolution showed the world that it was possible for a courageous and truly unified people to reclaim the freedom that a dictatorship had denied them. We believe that the indomitable spirit exemplified by one Filipino nation 37 years ago remains alive to this very day,” the family said in a statement posted on the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation Facebook page.
“It is that same spirit that guards and protects our democracy, confronting those who attempt to deceive us and undermine our rights and liberties,” the family added.
However, the Aquinos recognized the challenges of a democracy, expressing solidarity with those who oppose the return of democracy and any attempt to revise history.
“Nakikiisa tayo sa lahat ng mga tumututol sa pagbalik ng diktadurya at sa pagrerebisa sa ating nagkakaisang alaala (We join everyone who opposes the return of the dictatorship and the revision of our collective history),” the statement said.
The family members added that they also stand together with those who serve for a better future for the country.
“Walang duda: buhay ang diwa ng EDSA (There is no doubt: the spirit of EDSA is alive),” the statement concluded.
The assassination of Aquino Jr. at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport in 1983 set off a series of protests that culminated in the ouster of the dictatorship in February 1986. The airport has since been named after the senator.