On the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, members of Akbayan Party joined other progressive groups at EDSA, calling for an end to corruption and political dynasties.

Akbayan President Rafaela David emphasized that the EDSA spirit must be fully realized through an "electoral revolution."

"Hindi na tayo makakapayag na umiikot lamang ang kapangyarihan at politika sa kamay ng iilang pamilya gaya ng mga Marcos at Duterte. Malacañang should no longer serve as a home for dynastic nepo babies. As we prepare this early for 2028, let us mount an EDSA-inspired electoral revolution to end the Marcos-Duterte power carousel (We can no longer tolerate power and politics revolving in the hands of a few families like the Marcos and Duterte families. Malacañang should no longer serve as a home for dynastic nepo babies. As we prepare this early for 2028, let us mount an EDSA-inspired electoral revolution to end the Marcos-Duterte power carousel)," she said.

"We need to stop the revolving door of authoritarianism and elite plunder. If 1986 was about reclaiming our democracy, 2028 must be about reclaiming our future," she added.

Party representative Perci Cendaña said that passing genuine anti-political dynasty legislation would democratize elections and fulfill one of EDSA's long-unmet promises.

"Ang pagbuwag sa mga political dynasty ay isa sa mga pangako ng EDSA. Nakasaad ito sa 1987 Constitution, na bunga ng People Power (The dismantling of political dynasties was one of the promises of EDSA. It was stated in the 1987 Constitution, which was the result of People Power)," he said.

"The abolition of political dynasties is a long-delayed task of EDSA. Forty years since the February People Power Revolution, it is time to end their control over our democracy and economy. Kung walang dinastiya, mas tunay ang demokrasya at mas maunlad ang ekonomiya (Without a dynasty, democracy would be more genuine and the economy more prosperous)," he added.

Mamamayang Liberal Partylist representative Leila De Lima said the 1986 revolution may have restored democracy in the Philippines, but that true and genuine democracy has yet to be achieved given the persistence of political dynasties.

"We don't have it. The dynasties are still there, the oppressors of human rights are still there, right? So that's not democracy. Power lies in the sovereign people, so sovereignty lies in the sovereign people. So all the time the voice of the people should prevail," she said.

She added that while the country's current situation differs from four decades ago, the core message remains the same.

"We have achieved the genuine manifestation of the true sovereign will in various issues of our country, including those related to corruption and accountability, right, and especially now that there is historical revisionism, especially now that there is so much disinformation, so we need to always remember what happened in 1986. So different milieu, of course, but the message is still the same. It's about holding true and genuine democracy," De Lima added.

The commemoration of the 40th anniversary coincided with the third iteration of the Trillion Peso March, held under the theme: "Tayo ang People Power Laban sa Korapsyon at Dinastiya Noon, Ngayon, Bukas."

Among those who joined the gathering were organizer Kiko Aquino Dee, grandson of democracy icons the late Senator Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino; Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David; Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno; economist Winnie Monsod; former palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda; and Attys. Barry Gutierrez, Cielo Magno, Ronald Llamas, Leah Navarro, and Mitch Valdez. Youth leaders Khylla Meneses of Youth Against Kurakot (YAK) and students from various colleges and universities were also in attendance.

Dee expressed gratitude toward law enforcement authorities present at the rally.

"Sa panig ng pulis, ako po ay parating grateful sa naging pag trato ng QCPD samin dito sa white plains for the Trillion Peso march sana yung parehong pinakita nila samin ay ma extend sa lahat ng mga nag kikilos protesta ngayon (On the police side, I am always grateful for the way the QCPD treated us here at White Plains for the Trillion Peso march. I hope the same treatment they showed us will be extended to all those protesting today)," he said.

The event was organized by the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network (BAPP) and the Simbahan at Komunidad Laban sa Katiwalian (SIKLAB), with support from Caritas Philippines.

Earlier in the day, a prayer march from the EDSA Shrine to the EDSA People Power Monument began at 9:00 a.m. participants offered flowers and recited the “Panata ng Mamamayan,” echoing the spirit of unity that marked the 1986 uprising. Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino Dee said the activity paralleled the oath-taking of Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Tensions escalated during the “EDSA 40: Tuloy ang Laban sa Korapsyon at Kahirapan” mobilization as rallyists made their way from EDSA-Ortigas toward the EDSA Shrine. Police installed barricades along the southbound lane of EDSA to prevent the group from proceeding, citing the declaration of the shrine as a rally-free zone. One rallyist was arrested after members of progressive groups dismantled the barricade, leading to a brief confrontation.

The detained protester maintained that they were merely defending themselves as police pushed their line, saying they braced to avoid being toppled over and to protect fellow demonstrators. The group later continued its march toward the shrine to commemorate the anniversary.

Leaders of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) opposed the rally-free zone declaration, arguing that denying a permit contradicted the ideals of People Power.

Meanwhile, Quezon City officials, representatives of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the EDSA People Power Commission led a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to honor the legacy of the peaceful revolt that restored democracy. The Philippine National Police rendered a 21-gun salute as part of the commemoration rites.

Manila Police District (MPD) Spokesperson Maj. Phipp Ines told Manila Bulletin that around 150 rallyists were seen marching along Legarda Street early Wednesday.

Rallyists also began gathering at MacArthur Bridge in Manila, where some groups held programs to mark the anniversary. Police were also deployed in the area to monitor the situation.

Several members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and allied groups also held a program at Plaza Lacson in Sta. Cruz, before marching toward Liwasang Bonifacio.

They were carrying banners, expressing their calls as part of the anniversary mobilization.

In a statement, the group said its activity was part of broader nationwide actions marking the EDSA anniversary, with participants expected to join larger demonstrations later in the day.

Meanwhile, personnel of the MPD were deployed across several strategic locations in Manila, including General Solano Street, Ayala Bridge, and roads leading to Malacañang, to ensure security and manage possible protest actions.

Ines said around 5,800 police personnel, including augmentation forces from Police Regional Offices 3 and 4A, the Regional Headquarters, and the National Capital Region Police Office, were deployed to monitor key areas in Manila.

Barriers were installed, and police officers were stationed at key entry points, particularly near Mendiola and Malacañang, which have historically been focal areas for demonstrations.

Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/25/edsa-40-commemoration-kicks-off-with-prayer-march-to-people-power-monument, https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/25/protester-arrested-amid-tension-during-edsa-40-march, https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/25/rallyists-gather-barricades-rise-near-malacanang-palace-for-edsa-anniversary