EDSA People Power group to Eleksyon 2025 bets: Don't take advantage of voters

Candidates for the May 2025 polls should not take advantage of voters and their trust, the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network said Friday.

The coalition, composed of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF), Tindig Pilipinas, August Twenty-One Movement, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Mamamayang Liberal, among others, made the call ahead of the commemoration of the 39th anniversary of the People Power Revolution on February 25.

The EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 ousted then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., paving the way for Corazon "Cory" Aquino to lead the nation.

“Zero votes sa kawatan at abusado [kasi] sa dami ng ginagawa ng mga politiko natin dahil sa kasakiman nila, ang taumbayan ang sumasalo. ‘Yung ginagawa nila sa PhilHealth, ‘yung zero budget [for government subsidy for PhilHealth] doon, sino ‘yung sasagot? ‘Yung mga maysakit na kailangang gumastos ng out of pocket expenses para maalagaan nila ‘yung mga sarili nila. Sino ‘yung sumasalo ng krisis sa edukasyon? ‘Yung mga masisipag na guro, mag-aaral na kahit na wala silang computers, kasi binawasan ‘yung budget for computerization or ‘yun yung policy ng Kongreso, naghahanap sila ng paraan para-mafulfill iyong requirements nila,” Kiko Aquino-Dee, NCAF executive director, said in a press conference.

(Zero votes for thieves and crooks because it is the voters who are burdened because of their greed, like when they gave zero government subsidy to PhilHealth which will mean more out of pocket expenses for someone who sick. The same is true when teachers and students who are trying to find ways to survive while on a shoestring budget due to reduced funding for computerization program.)

“Ang nakakalungkot kasi sa People Power is dahil nga makapangyarihan ‘yung taong bayan, ‘yung mga politiko natin, ginagamit nila ito as an excuse na hindi gawin ‘yung trabaho nila,” Aquino-Dee, grandson of former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and Cory Aquino, added.

(The sad thing is that given that People Power is powerful, those in power use the mandate they get to slack off their jobs.)

The NCAF official then said that while voters have the responsibility to vote wisely, the call for the candidates to serve with integrity is just as loud.

“Sinasabi natin na bilang mga mamamayan, mamanata tayo na panindigan ‘yung demokrasya. Huwag iboto iyong mga magnanakaw at abusado. But at the same time, malakas rin iyong panawagan natin sa mga politiko na mag step-up naman kayo,” Aquino-Dee said.

(What we are saying is that as citizens, let us make a vow to stand for democracy. Don't vote for thieves and crooks. But at the same time, we are loudly calling for politicians to step up.)

In a joint statement also delivered on Friday, the Buhay ang People Power Campaign Network also called on the May 2025 bets to make a vow to serve the people and protect democracy, just like how those who took part in the EDSA People Power Revolution and the late Corazon Aquino did.

"Sa anibersaryo ng People Power Revolution, panata nating mga mamamayan na patuloy na isabuhay ang diwa nito. Panata nating panindigan ang demokrasya. Panata nating panagutin ang mga korup at abusado. Panata nating paglingkuran ng tapat ang isa't isa,” the group said.

(At the anniversary of People Power Revolution, we citizens commit to continue living up to its ideals. Let us stand together for democracy. Let us ensure to make the corrupt and abusive accountable. Let us serve each other with truthfulness.)

“At sa mga nagnanais na mamuno sa bayan sa darating na halalan, iisa ang hamon namin: Mamanata rin kayo,” they added.

(And to those who desire to lead the nation in the coming elections, we have one challenge: Make a vow to.)

Matt Silverio of the SCAP, for his part, said the youth which comprise around half of the 2025 elections registered voters should vote for candidates who will genuinely represent their interest and fight for education reforms.

"Taong bayan po ang nagbabayad ng buwis. Pondo po ng taong bayan ito. Kaya naniniwala po tayo na bilang mga kabataan at estudyante na [dapat] manindigan po tayo sa mga party-list at sa mga kandidatong talagang magre-representa sa ating mga tunay na pangangailangan bilang mga Pilipino,” Silverio said.

(It is the people who pay taxes, and these are public funds. Having said that, we, the youth and students, should support party-list groups and candidates who will really look out for our needs as Filipinos.)

The election day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12 while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. —KG, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.