FINDING ANSWERS

Five years ago, I wrote that many would have forgotten the significance of the 1986 EDSA revolt were it not for the declared non-working holiday on Feb. 25, 2019. Now that there is no such declared holiday in 2024 to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the historic event, more people are bound to forget.

Amid continuing poverty, corruption, and a host of many other ills plaguing our country which the present administration is addressing, it’s easy to understand why the EDSA spirit has lost its luster over the years, why many have become disillusioned in the aftermath of the “bloodless revolution that surprised the world.”

Glaring inequality between rich and poor Filipinos continues amid economic growth that has failed to bring about inclusive growth. The rising tide of prosperity during the post-EDSA years ought to have lifted all boats, yet millions of Filipinos are still mired in debilitating misery and wasting away from hunger.

The Philippine economy after the 1986 uprising has further increased the wealth of the rich wallowing in luxury. Forbes reported that in 2023, the combined wealth of the 50 richest families in the country has reached $80 billion, up from the $72 billion in 2022.

Not that it is the richest families’ fault or that they are mostly to blame. In fairness, huge sums of money have been donated by the rich for public health, education, housing, and many other social programs to uplift the lives of impoverished Filipinos.

Yet there are those who think the ruling elite should be faulted. With the continuing grip on the economy of big landlords, political dynasties, and others comprising the ruling elite, many believe that what transpired in 1986 was merely “changing of the guards with a different faction of the ruling classes taking power by riding on the wave of the anti-dictatorship movement.”

There are even those who entertain thoughts that what happened in 1986 should have been violent because “oligarchs would have been wiped out, or the horror of a bloody revolution would have been such a catharsis that would force serious nation-building.”

Some are tempted to ask: Would a better Philippines have emerged from horrific violence like that in the French Revolution or the US Civil War with hundreds of thousands of lives lost? Would such violence stun Philippine society into really putting an end to mediocre governance and widespread corruption?

But there are still many who don’t see the 1986 peaceful uprising as a dismal failure. On the contrary, it was a roaring success because it accomplished what it was all about – regaining freedoms lost.

Yet many find lamentable that the people power momentum in 1986 seems to have been squandered. Our country has failed to exploit the opportunity to make good use of people power to relentlessly pursue excellence in leadership and governance that could have brought about more equitable distribution of wealth to significantly reduce poverty.

Indeed, the rising tide of prosperity should lift all boats. But unless the ruling classes and the richest private sectors of society really join forces with government for more effective poverty alleviation measures, instead of just waiting for the “trickle-down” effect to do wonders, inclusive economic progress may take generations to happen. Or it may not happen at all.

Even Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, showed dismay over trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably bring about social inclusiveness in the world.

“The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefitting the poor. But what happens instead, is that when the glass is full, it magically gets bigger; nothing ever comes out for the poor,” the Pope said.

Thus, efforts to bring about inclusiveness and significant improvement in the quality of lives ought to be deliberate and relentless. While many of those who actively supported the 1986 EDSA Revolt have already passed away, much hope can be expected from the Filipino youth of today.

The youth can indeed change our nation’s quality of life. They can bring about effective governance responsive to pressing needs. Being the largest single bloc of voters, they can install God-fearing, competent and compassionate leaders who will bail out our country from poverty, corruption, inequality, and other social ills.

With today’s technology, the youth can utilize powerful information tools to reach millions, influence them with ideals and aspirations, and mobilize them to act in unison to bring forth progress and change Philippine society for the better.

They must bear in mind that in many developed countries throughout the world, all social and economic progress came about by the power of young people constantly challenging people in power to act decisively in uplifting people’s lives. ([email protected])