The Senate minority bloc on Tuesday, February 25, lauded the continuing moves to commemorate the spirit of the EDSA People Power Revolution, as the nation celebrates its 39th anniversary.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said EDSA should be “celebrated” because it is a very important part of Philippine history.
“Yes, dapat I-celebrate (it should be celebrated). That’s part of the history of the Philippines,” Pimentel said when asked if the EDSA People Power is still worth celebrating for.
“(It’s) something to be proud of because the Filipinos stood for, fought for, and were willing to die for some intangibles matters like democratic principles, good governance, people empowerment,” he stressed.
His deputy minority leader, Sen. Risa Hontiveros also welcomed the nation’s continuing celebration of the EDSA movement.
“I was turning 20 years old when I joined the millions of Filipinos who went to EDSA in 1986 to make our voices heard, end a twenty-year dictatorship, and fight for democracy, human rights and dignity, and a chance for a better future,” Hontiveros said.
“That is why I am immensely happy and proud to see that our students, teachers, schools, universities and youth organizations are taking the lead in commemorating this year’s EDSA People Power Revolution, even without a state holiday,” she stressed.
Even if Malacañang canceled a few more holidays, the lawmaker said the spirit and message of People Power will remain alive – “especially among the Filipino youth who stand up and speak for freedom, justice and collective census.”
“We should take inspiration from the courage of our young kababayans, and never be cowed into fear and inactivity. We must speak truth to power, overcome disinformation and historical distortion, and continue to resist the corruption, violence, and lust for power of those who are supposed to serve the nation,” she pointed out.
Now that the camps of the Marcosees and Dutertes are fighting and both want to rule the country, she said the public should not be tired, fed up and afraid to act for what is right.
“Tandaan natin na kahit natanggal ang diktador noong 1986, hindi pa rin tapos ang laban para sa malinis na gobyerno at maunlad na bayan. Buhay na buhay pa rin ang korapsyon, cronyism at pamamayagpag ng oligarkiya sa lipunan. Naghihirap pa rin ang marami sa maliit na sweldo, mataas na presyo ng bilihin at kulang na pabahay. Nariyan pa rin ang pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, ang kawalan ng hustisya at ng pagkakapantay-pantay. (Let's remember that even though the dictator was removed in 1986, the fight for a clean government and a prosperous nation is still not over. Corruption, cronyism and oligarchy are still alive and well in society. Many still struggle with low wages, high commodity prices and inadequate housing. There is still the abuse of power, the lack of justice and inequality),” she lamented.
“Marami pa tayong kailangan pagsumikapan bago makamit ang pangakong hatid ng EDSA People Power Revolution. Pero gaya ng nasaksihan ng buong mundo noon, walang imposible sa nagkakaisang pagkilos ng sambayanan (We still need to work hard before achieving the promise brought by the EDSA People Power Revolution. But as the whole world has witnessed before, nothing is impossible with the united action of the people),” she stressed.