The EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 remains one of the most iconic moments in Philippine history. In its 39th Anniversary, it is set with the backdrop of pro-administration legislators leading the impeachment of Vice President Duterte. While this might be seen as another display of power struggles among the elites, EDSA teaches us to not be complacent and be more vigilant and active in the pursuit of genuine accountability.



The People Power Revolution was marked by a peaceful mass uprising against the authoritarian rule of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. For four days, Filipinos from all walks of life converged on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, demanding an end to two decades of dictatorship. This collective act of resistance was propelled by deep-seated grievances amidst human rights violations, rampant corruption, and a system of governance that was more concerned with preserving power than serving the people. 

Yet shortly after the euphoric victory, the nation found itself returning to old political patterns. The very elites sidelined by Marcos and his cronies reclaimed their traditional strongholds, effectively resurrecting the same hierarchical order that had existed before martial law. Rather than instituting foundational reforms, the post-EDSA government largely preserved the entrenched structures of privilege with an hacienda heiress as President at the forefront, leaving many Filipinos to contend with the same oligarchic system run by different names

Another stark manifestation of EDSA’s unmet aspirations emerged with the 2022 presidential election victory of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the late dictator’s son and namesake. Despite the spirit of the 1986 revolution that ousted his father, Marcos Jr. won by a decisive margin of more than double the votes of his nearest rival due to a political marriage with the strongmen Dutertes of the south.

Fast forward to the present, and we witness another politically charged process that purports to hold leaders accountable in the form of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Late last year, the first impeachment complaint was filed by a coalition of organizations including Magdalo, Mamamayang Liberal, Tindig Pilipinas, families of victims of the Dutere-sanctioned war-on-drugs, and even voices from the Catholic Church. This initial move was supported by figures like Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña and seemed to echo the demand for transparency and justice amidst the Vice President’s flagged confidential funds utilization. Just two days later, a second complaint was brought forward by left-leaning organizations, including former lawmakers and representatives from the Makabayan bloc.

Yet, beneath the veneer of democratic accountability process, a disturbing power struggle has emerged. Despite the involvement of grassroots and progressive groups, the impeachment complaints that have moved forward in the legislative process were not the ones originally championed by the Makabayan Bloc and the broader opposition. Instead, the adopted complaint was crafted by allies of President Marcos as the previous complaints were not even forwarded to the Office of the House Speaker.

What is clear is that the People Power Revolution and the current impeachment proceedings began with the promise of democratization and accountability. They emerged from the collective will of the people, driven by a profound desire to rid the nation of corruption and oppression. However, their trajectories have diverged sharply as the forces of the old elite have intervened to repurpose these democratic instruments into mere tools of power politics.

The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte was viewed as yet another political struggle among the country’s leaders rather than a straightforward exercise in accountability. The once-formidable Marcos-Duterte tandem, which joined forces to secure a resounding win in the 2022 elections, has since unraveled amid publicized tensions and assassination proclamations made by the Vice President. This falling-out has culminated in the impeachment initiative, which is less about addressing the confidential funds and more about consolidating power for the Marcos faction ahead of the midterm election in May and the decisive 2028 Presidential Election. In hindsight, the impeachment is symptomatic of an elite-driven power play rather than a principled stand for transparency and good governance.

However, accountability and real, transformative change are not unachievable. If the legacy of EDSA has taught us anything, it is that democracy is not a singular event but an ongoing struggle that requires vigilance, critical awareness, and active participation. Though EDSA has shown that removing a tyrant does not necessarily eradicate the system that enabled their rule—the return of traditional elites, the persistence of corruption, and the cyclical nature of political power struggles —remind us that true democratic progress demands continuous effort.
It is in this sense, that we must not define EDSA solely by its co-optation by the ruling class. Rather, by its enduring value that lies in the spirit of resistance it ignited—a spirit that continues to inspire a new generation who dream and fight for a truly democratic society. 

As we mark 39 years since that historic uprising, we must remain vigilant. Our struggles must not be allowed to be repackaged into mere power plays among the elites. Instead, they should be continuously recalibrated to address the root causes of inequality and oppression. The fight for a just and equitable society is an ongoing battle—a battle that requires us to reclaim the true meaning of democracy and to ensure that our movements are not hijacked by those who seek only to perpetuate the old order. More than just a commemoration, the anniversary of EDSA should serve as a call to action. It urges us to question narratives, resist historical revisionism, and actively engage in nation-building beyond electoral cycles. 

The revolution has not ended in 1986 because the struggle for genuine democracy continues because EDSA is a continued goal and aspiration and it is up to the people to be unceasing in defending and defining it.