THE Office of the Vice President (OVP) yesterday withdrew a press statement quoting Vice President Sara Duterte as reminding the public to remember and uphold the spirit of the Edsa People Power Revolution, which the country commemorated last Sunday.
The statement, which was the complete opposite of the previous opinions made by the Vice President on the bloodless revolution that ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of President Marcos Jr., was taken down on her social media pages.
A source who asked not to be named said the post was removed because it was not yet approved by the Vice President.
The statement, which was posted Sunday night, lauded all “the brave souls who stood united on the streets of EDSA, fighting for democracy and freedom.
“Their courage and determination paved the way for a better Philippines, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten,” the statement said. “As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us remember the lessons of EDSA — the power of unity, the strength of the Filipino spirit, and the importance of standing up for what is right.”
Duterte was also quoted as saying: “Let us continue to build a nation where justice, peace, and prosperity prevail, where every voice is heard, and every dream is achievable.
“Happy EDSA anniversary to all Filipinos. May we continue to uphold the spirit of Edsa in all that we do,” the statement said.
The Vice President has said her relationship with the President remains okay despite her father former President Rodrigo Duterte’s differences with the Chief Executive.
The elder Duterte earlier accused the Chief Executive of being a “drug addict” during a recent anti-Charter change rally in Davao City where he also made the pitch for the separation of Mindanao from the rest of the country.
PNP STATEMENT
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. justified the cops’ blocking of people who were on the way to join the protest during the celebration of the 38th anniversary of the Edsa People Power revolution last Sunday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Acorda said the individuals were intercepted in Batangas because they were riding a passenger bus that is not allowed to ply the route.
“We are just implementing our mandate,” said Acorda.
“We don’t intend to suppress any rights (to join rallies) but with regards to violations like out-of-line, I think it’s our mandate to implement such provisions of the law,” added Acorda.
He said the operation was conducted by the PNP in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Acorda said he is not opposed to people joining rallies but said the PNP is mandated to enforce traffic laws and other laws.
“With regards to these rallyists coming from other areas, we have no problem with that. It’s an exercise of their rights but there are aspects of law enforcement that we cannot waive,” said Acorda.
The leftist Alyansang Makabayan Timog Katagalugan reported that protesters aboard jeepneys were also blocked by PNP personnel in Cavite and Laguna. The group said policemen did not give any reason why they were blocked.
Acorda commended the National Capital Region (NCRPO) for the peaceful rallies, saying: “We deployed (policemen) accordingly and we thank the NCRPO… because of the peaceful conduct of the rally, no untoward incident (was monitored).
“Traffic flow was not affected and with that I congratulate the men and women of NCRPO and, of course, with the supervision of our TCDS (Chief Directorial Staff) and DO (Director for Operations),” added Acorda.
Acorda also commended the Central Visayas regional police office for the peaceful outcome of the anti-charter change protest in Cebu last Sunday.
‘NATIONAL SHRINE’
The head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) believes the popular EDSA Shrine on Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City can be bestowed with the title of a “national shrine” given its significance in the country’s history.
In his homily for the celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the EDSA Shrine on Sunday night, CBCP President Bishop Pablo David expressed openness to the idea of having the “Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA” be declared as a “national shrine.”
“(EDSA Shrine Rector) Fr (Jerome) Secillano asked me if they can apply to be a national shrine… I said, ‘Of course, you may’,” said David.
He said he believes there is enough cause to declare the EDSA Shrine as a “national shrine” considering it was the site of the historic People Power Revolution of 1986.
“(The) EDSA Shrine is not just a shrine for the Archdiocese of Manila, but of the entire Philippines,” he said, adding: “What took place here from February 22 to 25, 1986 is so significant that the late (Manila Archbishop) Jaime Cardinal Sin decided to have the Shrine established in 1989 as an archdiocesan shrine.”
Secillano welcomed the statement of David considering they had long planned to apply for the “national shrine” title.
“We are grateful for your (David) statement that the EDSA Shrine can become a national shrine,” said the priest.
Secillano said the EDSA Shrine has been an “archdiocesan shrine” since its establishment in 1989.
Under the Canon Law, for a shrine to be called a national shrine, the Conference of bishops must give its approval. — With Victor Reyes and Gerard Naval
