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Democracy in Standstill: Reminiscing the EDSA People Power
In the annals of Philippine history, the Revolution of 1986 is a chilling reminder of the effects when democracy and the rule of law are harassed by the illicit and malignant oppression of those we put in power.
Just recently, certain schools all over the country have all expressed their intent to keep the spirit of the People Power alive by declaring it a non-working holiday, even if the current administration of his untalented, if not incompetent, son shrugs off this pertinent piece of history—the memory lives on. In appreciating the patriotic clamor of the revolution, let us remember the antecedents that set the motion for the liberation of our country from a despot—detested by both time and history. Beginning from his ascendancy to the highest position in the land, the Marcoses had, for the most time being in office, attained what is said to be the greatest monopoly of governmental power and the siphoning of people’s money from the nation’s treasury—the sum of which could’ve been given to the much-needed assistance of the poor and the furnishing of many industries to boost the economy. Although remaining popular, having served two terms, the then-president turned dictator had reached the limit prescribed by the 1935 Constitution. Thus, to consolidate his authority, he had tasked a commission with creating a constitution penned with an illicit intention to stagger liberty and castrate the powers of government by lingering far too long in the presidency. What followed then were a series of protestations, mostly from the disgruntled public consisting of students and working-class members declaring their displeasure at the economic downturn now unfolding in his false promise of progress. More scandals were reported during his ten-year-long dictatorship, which was marred with human rights violations, which include, among others—the forced disappearances and torture of persons speculated of conspiring or plotting against the state, warrantless arrests, and detention of political opponents. Not to mention the astounding magnitude of corruption and the suppression of the press as evidenced by the regulation and shutting down of media outlets. The Constitution of 1973 effectively legitimized the president's legislative powers, allowing him to declare many decrees aimed at preventing any threats to his stay. Imelda and Ferdinand’s obsession with infrastructures, or as the media would call it, “the edifice complex,” was a shameless attempt to detract attention from ballooning debt and the increasing inflation away from the public’s eye. Their extravagant lifestyle, particularly by his wife, had a lasting impression even today. Imelda Marcos’ rumored three thousand pairs of shoes was one of the controversies that reached international headlines. It was distasteful, to say the least when people in the office had the nerve to show off despite the plight of their constituents, thin and famished, suffering from the rising prices of goods. Anyone who dared to oppose the regime was either exiled, tortured, or imprisoned. The famous dissenter and considered an icon of the revolution was the late senator, Benigno Aquino III, who was imprisoned for opposing the Marcos government and later self-exiling in the United States. Even while away, Aquino remained active in politics and advocating against the dictatorship. While at home, more and more political persecutions ensued—the people would soon have enough. He would return to the Philippines after three years—and the now famous photograph of the senator lying face down at the tarmac of Manila International Airport (later named Ninoy Aquino International Airport), gunned by assassins, would soon animate the spirit of the people power. After his death, Aquino’s widow, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, was placed on the pedestal of the opposition by virtue of the Filipino people. The decrepit despot, still confident of his capacity, even while his popularity had waned significantly, challenged the now-emerging Aquino to a snap election in 1986, all for the world to see. That election was considered as one of the dirtiest, most fraudulent, and violent elections since democracy began in the Philippines. The so-called COMELEC 35, a group of computer technicians at the forefront of the ballot counting, held a walkout after what were purported to be fraud and manipulation cases. A Congress of dominantly Marcos-allied had proclaimed Marcos and his running mate, Arthur Tolentino, the official winners, losing over Cory Aquino and her running mate, Salvador “Doy” Laurel. This was after election watchdogs reported widespread cheating in favor of Marcos. The people would not accept this fate. Thus, in less than a month, Filipinos who had learned it was enough took to the streets in collective defiance of the regime. Nuns, priests, journalists, students, vendors, and all people from walks of life flooded Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue to protest and oust the disgraced dictator from office. It continued until the outcry came to Malacañang with a bellowing growl—forcing the first family to flee. This ushered in a new government under the leadership of Cory Aquino, who oversaw drafting a new framework, the Constitution of 1987, replacing the previous Marcos-sponsored constitution and restoring freedom and rights to the people under a renewed banner of democracy. Indeed, years had gone by, and the pain of the past still stings. We have realized that never again will tyranny lash its claws upon us. We constantly remind ourselves and the generations that would come to honor the legacy of EDSA that it is not because of self-interest that stirred the Filipinos. It was not some political family that roused the consciousness of a nation—it was the imperative duty to our country and its laws that, ultimately, justice and morality prevailed. Even now that another Marcos sits in the presidency, we must remain ever-vigilant. They may have made their dramatic return from the abyss and are now seeking to demolish the memory of EDSA—I am confident that for many, especially among the youth, the memory of EDSA will burn even brighter. Like a candle amidst the impetuous winds, it sits to burn the frigid night of silence, where the light cast burns even brighter when all darkness descends.