'My position remains the same': VP Duterte explains deleted EDSA anniversary post
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Vice President Sara Duterte’s position on the EDSA People Power Revolution “has never changed,” referring to a 2017 statement questioning the bloodless revolt, which was the reason why she took down an earlier social media post wherein she acknowledged the 38th EDSA anniversary.
Vice President Sara Duterte (Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
This was her pronouncement on Tuesday, Feb. 27, after a day of speculations on why the EDSA anniversary message was removed from her social media page.
“What I said in 2017 regarding the February 25 EDSA anniversary has never changed. My position remains the same today,” she said.
Expressing hope that her explanation settles the issue, the official said, “I did not intend to issue a statement this year as I did not the previous year.”
“Because of this, I removed the EDSA anniversary post from my social media page,” the Vice President added.
In 2017, Duterte was quoted questioning why the peaceful people power revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship became the “standard definition” of freedom in the Philippines.
She said that this so-called standard was “forced down our throats by a certain group of individuals who think they are better than everyone else.”
In the now-deleted EDSA anniversary message, the official asked Filipinos to “remember the lessons of EDSA” and “uphold the spirit of Edsa in all that we do.”
It also paid homage to the “brave souls” who fought during the 1986 People Power Revolution, saying that “their courage and determination paved the way for a better Philippines, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
Political vloggers and netizens were quick to question Duterte’s EDSA commemoration message as they believed this hinted of a deepening rift between her and President Marcos, son and namesake of the late dictator.
But upon removal of the post, critics also swarmed social media to accuse the Vice President of being unable to stand against the Marcoses.
The People Power Revolt, known around the world for being a peaceful protest and uprising, overthrew the Marcos dictatorship and forced the Marcoses, including the President, out of the country.