Protesters mark EDSA with rally vs Cha-cha

Several organizations convened on Friday to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution by protesting against Charter change or Cha-cha.

In Chino Gaston’s “24 Oras” report, the groups called for the junking of Cha-cha proposals as they underscored the importance of remembering the legacy of EDSA.

“When we celebrate and claim the victory of EDSA, necessarily kasama doon ang Constitution at ‘yung pananagutan at commitment na depensahan ito,” said former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Ging Deles.

(When we celebrate and claim the victory of EDSA, that necessarily includes the Constitution and our commitment to defend it.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the 1987 Constitution sprang from EDSA 1.

"Ito ay isang legacy na kailangan i-cherish at ma-defend ng mga Pilipino laban sa current distortion ng history at dun sa gustong i-repeat ang catastrophic era sa ating bansa,” said Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman.

(This is a legacy that Filipinos need to cherish and defend against the distortion of history and against those who want to repeat the catastrophic era in our country.)

Spanning four days, from February 22 to 25, the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution ended the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Ahead of the EDSA anniversary, womens’ group Babae Para sa Inang Bayan (BPIB) also protested against the efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“Tugunan 'yung hinaing ng mga mamamayan sa kanilang karapatan na mabuhay, sahod sa manggagawa, pagwawakas ng contractualization,” said BPIB Convenor Judy Taguiwalo.

(We need to respond to citizens' call for their rights. This includes a livable wage and the end of contractualization.)

On Thursday, several groups also staged a rally at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution and oppose the proposed Cha-cha.

“Hindi natin matiyak kung gaano kalakas ang ‘underground works’ na mangyari at baka bigyan nila ng halaga ang tinatawag nating pekeng peoples initiative,” said Bishop Colin Bagaforo.

(We cannot gauge the efficacy of the hidden moves that may take place. They may favor the fake people’s initiative.)

“Kailangan manindigan tayo,” he said.  (We need to oppose it.)

On Sunday, February 25, progressive organizations will stage a larger EDSA People Power Anniversary rally along Ayala Avenue, which would feature a countdown for the exile of the Marcos family.

65% have forgotten EDSA

Meanwhile,  GMA News Research found that 65.4% or 71.3 million of Filipinos born from 1986 to 2020 have forgotten about EDSA 1, according to report on “24 Oras.”

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said this might be due to history only being taught in elementary schools, adding that it needed to be included in the high school curriculum to remind the youth about the importance of historical events.

“‘Yung eskwelahan pa rin ang pinakamabisa na tool para dito sa history. Para matutunan ang kasaysayan natin, said TDC Chairperson Bento Basas.

(Schools are the most effective tool to teach history.)

BPIB convenor Taguiwalo agreed.

"Kailangan maging bahági ng curriculum natin ang pag-aaral sa tunay na kasaysayan na ang diktadura ay hindi golden years, na ang EDSA ay di lamang sa EDSA nangyari at di lamang laban ni Marcos at ni Cory. Laban ito ng mamayan laban sa tiraniya at para sa mas magandang buhay,” she said.

(It should be a part of our curriculum because the youth need to know the real history. The dictatorship wasn’t a golden era. People Power did not only take place on EDSA, and the fight was not between Marcos and Cory. It was the people’s fight against tyranny and for a better future.) — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News