EDSA People Power a reminder of Pinoys' readiness to fight dictatorship —Robredo

The 1986 People Power Revolution—which ended the decades-old rule of then-President Ferdinand Marcos—is a stern reminder that Filipinos are ready to stand up against dictatorship, Vice President Leni Robredo said Tuesday.

Robredo, who participated in the bloodless uprising, issued to the statement to mark EDSA People Power's 34th anniversary, which she said stemmed from the Filipinos' love for country and dismay at what was then happening in the country.

“Magsilbi nawang babala ang EDSA sa sinuman ang muling magtatangkang ikuyom tayo sa loob ng kamaong bakal: Hindi sila magtatagumpay,”  she said.

The Vice President then said that EDSA People Power was never a call for a perfect leader, but a push for a leader who will look out for the welfare of the people instead of killing them — a remark that could be taken as a swipe at President Rodrigo Duterte, whose war on drugs has been criticized for its high death toll.

Robredo has described Duterte's war on illegal drugs as a "failure" and is among its vocal critics.

“Nagtagumpay tayo noon, at patuloy nating tinatahak ang landas upang makamit ang mga mithiin ng EDSA. Walang perpektong pinuno, at walang perpektong demokrasya. Ngunit hindi tayo nagtipon noon para manawagan ng perpektong pinuno o perpektong demokrasya,” she said.

“Ang hinangad natin: Mabuhay nang may dignidad. Isang gobyernong hindi magsisinungaling, hindi magnanakaw, at hindi tayo aapihin. Hindi tayo papatayin. Sa madaling salita: Isang gobyernong gagawin ang sinumpaan niyang tungkulin.”

Having said that, Robredo called for vigilance on those who deny the existence of the bloodless revolution 34 years ago.

“Ngayon, may mga nagtatangkang burahin ang alaala ng EDSA para sa pansarili nilang agenda. Tatlumpu’t apat na taon pa lang ang nakakalipas: kasama pa natin ngayon ang marami sa nagtipon noon—silang mga sumubaybay habang nagaganap ang rebolusyon, at malamang ay nakadanas din ng pagmamalupit ng diktadurya. Utang natin sa kanilang huwag bigyang-puwang ang mga kasinungalingan,” she said.

Robredo's victory in the 2016 vice presidential race is being challenged by former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the late president. The case is currently pending at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News