EDSA People Power Revolution

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless revolution
erupted, called EDSA People Powers Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked a significant
national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino. This part of
Philippine history gives us a strong sense of pride especially that other nations had
attempted to emulate what we have shown the world of the true power ofdemocracy. The
true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts to oust a
tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and bloodshed. Prayers and
rosaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that the Filipinos used to recover their
freedom from President Ferdinand Marcoss iron hands. The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue
(EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the peaceful demonstration was held on that fateful
day. It was a day that gathered all Filipinos in unity with courage and faith to
prevail democracy in the country. It was the power of the people, who assembled in EDSA,
that restored the democratic Philippines, ending the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it
came to be known as the EDSA People Powers Revolution.
The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life threatening abuses
executed by the Marcos government to cite several events like human rights violation since
the tyrannical Martial LawProclamation in 1972. In the years that followed Martial Law
started the suppressive and abusive yearsincidents of assassination were rampant,
particularly those who opposed the government, individuals and companies alike were
subdued. The Filipinos reached the height of their patience when former Senator Benigno
"Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his return to
the Philippines from exile in the United States. Aquinos death marked the day that Filipinos
learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinos and the
world the strength and courage to claim back the democracy that Ferdinand Marcos arrested
for his personal caprice. Considering the depressing economy of the country, Ninoys death
further intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to win back his
popularity among the people, Marcos held a snap presidential election in February 7, 1986,
where he was confronted with a strong and potent opposition, Corazon Aquino. It was the
most corrupt and deceitful election held in the Philippine history. There was an evident trace
of electoral fraud as the tally of votes were declared with discrepancy between the official
count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count of NAMFREL (National
Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in that election was the final straw of
tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. The demonstration started to break in the
cry fordemocracy and the demand to oust Marcos from his seat at Malacaang Palace. The
revolt commenced when Marcos' Defense MinisterJuan Ponce Enrile and the Armed Forces
Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos, both withdrew their support from the
government and called upon the resignation of then President Marcos. They responsibly
barricaded Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and had their troops ready to combat against
possible armed attack organized by Marcos and his troops. The Catholic Church represented

by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with the priests and nuns called for the support of
all Filipinos who believed indemocracy. Radyo Veritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that
summoned thousands of Filipinos to march the street of EDSA. It was an empowering
demonstration that aimed to succeed peacefully with the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled
in front of tanks with rosaries in their hands and uttering their prayers.
With the power of prayers, the armed marine troops under the command of Marcos
withdrew from the site. Celebrities expressed their support putting up a presentation to
showcase the injustices and the anomalies carried out by the Marcos administration. Finally,
in the morning of February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath of office,
administered by the Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino
located in San Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the Republic of the
Philippines. She was the first lady president of the country. People rejoiced over their victory
proving the success of the EDSA Peoples Power Revolution, the historic peaceful
demonstration. Although in 2001, there was an attempt to revive People Power in the efforts
to oust then President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as the glorifying demonstration
in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA renewed the power of the people,
strengthened the meaning of democracy and restored the democratic institutions of
government. Continue to the 5th Republic (1986) up to the Present
Time.