“Did we simply go back to our old ways?”
As the nation commemorates today the 36th anniversary of Edsa People Power, it is appropriate to ask: Did Edsa bring about the genuine change that Filipinos wanted? Or have we simply gone back to the old ways and made another popular uprising that would truly usher in genuine change not only a distinct possibility but even a necessity?
People Power at Edsa in February 1986 was a crucial event in our contemporary political history. It was the culmination of a 14-year struggle waged by various sectors against dictatorial rule imposed by the declaration of martial law in September 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who usurped all political power, clamped down on media, and sent thousands to jail without charges.
But the suppression of democratic rights and subsequent looting of the national treasury under martial law also spawned determined opposition from various sectors, including students, labor, farmers, the religious, and media. They were instrumental in educating Filipinos about the nature of dictatorship and in mobilizing them to raise their voices and take their future in their own hands.
The beginning of the end of the martial law regime began with the assassination of opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino upon his arrival from exile in the United States on August 23, 1983. This triggered widespread outrage and increasingly bigger protest rallies that culminated in the bloodless People Power from February 22-25, 1986.
In those four days, millions thronged the stretch of highway in front of two military camps to register their protest against the Marcos dictatorship. The uprising served to inspire other peoples elsewhere in the world to throw off the yoke of oppression and misrule.
Edsa was a synergy, a coming together of various forces across the nation that showed the world that finally, freedom had been won after 14 long years. But the end of dictatorship and the rebirth of Philippine democracy at the barricades in February 1986 did not solve the nation’s problems. Instead, the promised reforms have not been delivered by our leaders.
People Power restored democracy. But hopes that Edsa would bring about a new order anchored on good governance, integrity and honesty in public office and sustained economic growth that would substantially reduce the ranks of the poor soon faded away as corruption and economic stagnation eroded whatever gains it had achieved.
Today, corruption has not gone away but even gotten worse, the unemployment rate remains high, and the poor who comprise nearly a third of the population have little hope of meeting their most basic needs.
Corruption in our political system, which continues to be dominated by the elite, offers little hope for ordinary citizens to have any meaningful participation in governance.
Worse, political dynasties have become more entrenched despite a constitutional ban.
After 36 years, People Power has effected little change in Philippine society.
Our people want change that is thoroughgoing and meaningful. They want participatory democracy, not a government dominated by traditional politicians and political dynasties.
One fundamental lesson of Edsa is that the Filipino people want democracy, not authoritarian or dictatorial rule. They expect good governance from their leaders, not corruption. They want clean and honest elections, not manipulation of the votes and the desecration of the electoral process by corrupt politicians.
Yet another lesson of Edsa is that lack of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms will ultimately bring down a government. You can only suppress freedom and human rights for so long, before the people themselves begin to reclaim their freedom and their future.
People Power is a valid option when government institutions are nonfunctional and leaders have clearly failed to perform their duties or completely ignore the public interest. It is a legitimate expression of the people’s will and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech, expression and peaceful assembly.
The legacy of Edsa must be continued by waging a relentless war against pervasive poverty and putting a stop to unbridled corruption at all levels of the bureaucracy.
This year, we hold another general election to elect a new set of national and local leaders. Will the next set of leaders be bold and daring and lead us to deliverance from corruption and poverty that Edsa promised?
Thirty-six years after People Power at Edsa in February 1986, have we moved closer to realizing the ideals of peace, freedom, justice and democracy that it embodied?
From where we sit, we have not, with the specter of strongman rule and authoritarianism a very real possibility in the next six years if Filipinos do not learn their lessons from history.
On February 26, 1986, newspaper headlines screamed: “Marcos Flees!” The bad news, 36 years later, is this: No, he has not. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)