Where were Eleksyon 2022 presidential candidates during EDSA 1986?

Thirty six years ago today, the Philippines drew the world's attention when massive protests forced then President Ferdinand Marcos and his family out of power in what is now known as the EDSA Revolution of 1986.

Marcos, his loved ones, and close friends left Malacanang on February 26, 1986 amid serious allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. He abdicated after more than 20 years in power.

His son Ferdinand Jr., now running for president in Eleksyon 2022, was seen in photos and videos in military olive drab while Marcos addressed a crowd in the terrace of Malacanang before they left hours later. 

GMA News Online asked other presidential candidates where they were during those eventful days in February 1986. Here are their stories.

Norberto Gonzales, Philippine Democratic Socialist Party

Gonzales said he was in Madrid when the EDSA Revolution happened. He had been living in exile since 1982, he told GMA News Online.

"[I was] fighting the dictatorship," Gonzales said. 

The Philippine Democratic Socialist Party, which he headed as president, was one of the groups which comprised the opposition to Marcos.

Gonzales said he felt "pride and joy" when the EDSA Revolution ousted Marcos.

Leody de Guzman, Partido ng Masa

De Guzman said he and his fellow workers were on duty in a factory when EDSA started.

"Pagka-out namin, sama-sama kami ng mga katrabaho ko na tumungo sa EDSA para harangin ang mga tangke at palayasin ang diktador sa Palasyo," De Guzman said.

[When our shift ended, we went to EDSA to block tanks and drive away the dictator from the Palace.]

De Guzman said EDSA for him was the coming together of Filipinos to oust the dictatorship.

He, however, said that EDSA fell short in terms of instituting reforms.

"Looking back, nakikita kong kinapos ang naunang EDSA. Ang nanumbalik ay ang elitistang demokrasya na naghahari sa bansa bago ang Marial Law.  Mula kay Cory Aquino hanggang kay Duterte, tila nabalewala ang isinakripisyo ng aming henerasyon,"De Guzman said.

"Nanatili ang kronyismo, kagutuman, pagkakabaon sa utang panlabas, kawalan ng hustisyang panlipunan at serbisyo publiko, pang-aapi sa mga manggagawa't magsasaka, at iba pa," he added.

Jose Montemayor, Democratic Party of the Philippines

Montemayor said he was on EDSA during those historic days. He said he was with the August 21 Movement led by Agapito "Butz" Aquino during the march.

ATOM was one of the opposition groups which sprouted after the assassination in 1983 of staunch Marcos critic former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., Butz's brother.

"I'm supporting good causes like EDSA Revolution. I'm a fellow kapampangan. At that time of the EDSA Revolution, I was a student leader of FEU Medicine," Montemayor said.

Asked about his thoughts on EDSA, Montemayor said, "Real change and real revolution."

Isko Moreno, Aksyon Demokratiko

Moreno recalled seeing helicopters overhead while he collected trash even while he was still a child.

"Nasa Tondo, nagbabasura. Basurero ako. Mga panahon. Nakikita ko yung mag helicopter, dumadaan yun sa Tondo," Moreno told GMA News Online when asked where he was in February 1986.

Asked about his thoughts about the events unfolding on EDSA, Moreno said he didn't give them much.

"Wala, bata ka, wala ka naman kebs. Kapag mahirap ka, ang gusto mo lang naman tsumitsa, mag hanap buhay," Moreno said.

"Ang gusto mo lang bahay, ang gusto mo skwelahan, tapos makapaglaro. Kaya lang ako yung paglalaro hindi ko masyado na enjoy kasi at 10 years old nag hahanap buhay na ko," he added.

"t’s not because wala kang pakiaalam sa mundo, it’s just that wala ka pang malay sa lipunan at talagang nais mo lang noon, tsumitsa. 'Yon talaga. Kaya trabaho lang ng trabaho," Moreno said.  

Manny Pacquiao, PROMDI

Pacquiao said he and his family in lived in a mountainous area in Mindanao when EDSA happened. 

He even recalled seeing a soldier holding a severed head at that time.

"Noong 1986 EDSA Revolution, nasa bundok kami nakatira, at naalala ko noong araw ay 'yon ang experience ko, nakakita ako ng pugot na ulo na tumutulo pa 'yung dugo at hawak-hawak ng sundalo 'yung ulo," Pacquiao said.

"'Yun po 'yung time na talagang nagkagulo dito sa Maynila, lalo na 'yung sa tinatawag na EDSA Revolution," he added.

In his hometown, Pacquiao said they'd be fortunate if they didn't hear a gunshot for a week.

"Nakita ko 'yung talagang kaguluhan dahil even sa amin, pasalamat na siguro kami kung wala kang maririnig na putok sa isang linggo, ganoon ang buhay namin doon. At talagang maraming labanan, maraming patayan noong araw," Pacquiao said.

Asked if he thought EDSA was a success, Pacquiao said, "Para sa akin naging matagumpay para paalisin sa pwesto ang diktador ng Marcos at nagkaroon tayo ng kalayaan kaya under democracy tayo ngayon."

"Ang problema lang, dahil sa sobrang kalayaan na ipinatutupad ng ating gobyerno, talagang dumami pa 'yung korupsyon lalo," Pacquiao said.

GMA News Online sought similar remarks from the other presidential candidates particularly Marcos Jr., Vice President Leni Robredo, and Senator Panfilo Lacson but they have yet to respond with their own EDSA stories as of posting time. —NB, GMA News