ON the 37th anniversary of the “EDSA people power revolution” that ended the controversial administration of his father, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sent a message to all Filipinos offering peace, unity and reconciliation.
In his message — which is directed more to those with “different political persuasions” — the President correctly described the EDSA uprising as a “polarizing and divisive” event, and that Filipinos must now unite and collaborate “to make things work better for all.”
“As we look back at this fateful moment in our country’s history, we remind ourselves that despite the polarizing and divisive nature of our politics, it is our capacity for peace, unity and reconciliation that made us great and worthy of global acclaim as a people,” Marcos said.
The disdain against EDSA shown by his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte who never attended an EDSA event in the full six years of his incumbency was not in Bongbong Marcos’ thoughts and actions. It is understandably hurting for the son to “celebrate” the end of Marcos Sr.’s administration, but he chose to send a unifying message to the people rather than scrap the EDSA Day itself. This was the first EDSA People Power anniversary commemorated under the Marcos administration and the President sent a wreath of flowers to the People Power Monument in EDSA, Quezon City.
‘The Movement Against Tyranny urged the citizens to denounce what they believe is a worsening socio-economic situation under the second Marcos administration.’
This hand of reconciliation was flatly rejected by the Left and the Yellows, showing their disapproval and rage through street protests at EDSA and other sites. They failed to gather even 1,500 protesters at their biggest rally, though.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes said “reconciliation should be based on justice for victims of the dictatorship and accountability of those who imposed the dictatorship.”
The Movement Against Tyranny urged the citizens to denounce what they believe is a worsening socio-economic situation under the second Marcos administration. The group said: “From the time before the 2022 elections up to the present, the Marcos political dynasty has been wantonly revising history and white-washing the crimes of the dictatorship. Even legislative measures such as Charter change are aimed at benefiting the Marcoses and their bid to stay in power.”
It is sad that for decades, these critics have held on to the discredited narrative of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) against the Marcoses but at the same time taking the side of the traditional oligarchy and landowners which the communists are ostensibly fighting. The fact that these activists protested against the administrations of all presidents after Cory Aquino proves that they themselves wanted political power and are willing to discredit whoever is the sitting leader.
President Bongbong Marcos’ message should finally resonate with all his critics: “I hope that we will always take to heart that democracy is only truly possible when we resign from our individualism for the sake of the common good and embrace our infinite love for humanity.”
