CHURCH leaders called on the Filipino people to gather at the People Power Monument on February 25 as more universities and colleges joined the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) in supporting commemoration activities for the 39th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
This despite Malacañang’s move downgrading the historic date to a special working holiday.
The Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT) yesterday called on the Filipino faithful to gather at the People Power Monument at 3 p.m. on February 25.
In a statement, the CLCNT said, “The People Power Revolution remains a symbol of Filipinos’ courage and unity in upholding democracy.
“We invite all faith-based communities, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens to stand together and take action for a just and democratic future,” CLCNT added.
Among the universities and colleges that have declared February 25 as an Alternative Learning Day, a Non-Academic Day, or a Special Non-working School Holiday were the University of the Philippines (UP) System, Adamson University, the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae–Philippines Schools Network (CICM-PSN), the EDSOR Consortium of Schools, and St. Scholastica’s Academy in Pampanga.
Aside from being a commemorative occasion, the faith-based communities and advocacy groups said they are coming together with three key messages.
These include making President Marcos Jr. accountable, holding former President Rodrigo Duterte responsible, and for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“The event, EDSA People Power @ 39, aims to reignite the spirit of democracy and accountability as the country faces continued challenges of corruption, economic hardship, and governance failures,” it said.
UP president Angelo Jimenez called on all university officials, students, and staff to participate in activities to celebrate the “historic testament to the Filipino people’s courage and unwavering commitment to democracy.
“The University reaffirms its commitment to upholding democratic values, human rights, and the spirit of People Power. Let this occasion serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and strengthen these principles within our campuses and beyond,” Jimenez said in a statement.
Likewise, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)–National Capital Region encouraged all of its member schools to continue commemorating the People Power Revolution.
It recommended that all member institutions designate February 25 as a non-academic, non-working day to allow students and educators the opportunity to participate in commemorative events related to the EDSA Revolution of 1986.
“Let us continue to honor the spirit of the People Power Revolution and its enduring legacy by nurturing a deep sense of patriotism and civic responsibility among the youth,” the CEAP-NCR said.
“This year’s commemoration is not just about remembering the past but renewing the commitment to fight for justice, accountability, and national transformation,” added CLCNT.
Every February 25, the nation commemorates the EDSA People Power Revolution, which led to the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986.
The CLCNT is a newly formed council of church leaders committed to advocating for good governance and national renewal.
The CLCNT was officially established last February 13, 2025, at the LAIKO Office in Intramuros, Manila.
Members of the council include the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Roman Catholic Church (represented by the Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice and Peace and Caritas Philippines), Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines (CMSP), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), and Manila Ecclesiastical Province School Systems Association (MAPSA).
Senatorial candidate Luke Espiritu (Partido Lakas ng Masa) hailed the actions of the academe as an expression of support for what EDSA People Power stood for.
“This is the correct behavior. No to historical revisionism,” he said on his social media page reposting the announcement of DLSU.
Makabayan senatorial aspirant Teddy Casiño said the downgrading of the date to a special working holiday by the administration of President Marcos Jr. was “an obvious attempt to erase the victory of the people versus his father’s dictatorship.”
“The EDSA People Power Revolution remains a testament to the power of ordinary people to hold their leaders accountable for their wrongdoing. Malacanang’s move to downplay this historic event is part of a larger effort to rewrite history, hoping that our people eventually forget their sovereign power,” he said.
