Beyond 1986: Has people's power truly won?

To protest is to campaign and defend a collective right and dignified sense of nationality. Rallies or any form of mass movement that seeks accountability from the government’s redress and grievances is even legalized under Article III, Section IV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. 

Resistance is a form of dissent — mostly fueled by the unseen and unheard plights of our countrymen — and it often results in breaking the shackles of injustices and tyranny and can even end a dictatorship. 

The uprising of Filipinos from EDSA in 1986 was the outcome of the Marcos regime's atrocities and dictatorship. It was rooted in fascism and ulterior motives to put their family at the top of the hierarchy. The bloodless uprising may have concluded, but the political maneuver in the country remains semi-feudal and semi-colonial. Now that the son and namesake of the ousted dictator is now in power, one question remains: does the EDSA People Power succeed in changing the country's political climate?

Despite the nation's mounting sociopolitical issues, comprehensive changes in reforms to lands and congressional laws remain elusive. Imperialist countries, such as the United States, continue to exploit the country's cheap workforce. Filipinos continue to suffer as they are obligated to pay the rotten debt of the previous administrations that followed the Marcos dictatorship. Poverty continues to plague the population, causing underserved societal realities and difficulties. 

The protest that toppled Marcos Sr. 39 years ago, today has been identified as a terror attack in recent years by the government. Laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020, were passed to put into silence and rest the dissenters of the Duterte administration. Rampant red-tagging, threats, and human rights violations against activists, individuals, lawyers, and even the press followed later on. It resulted in either of the three: incarceration, chilling effect, or even death.  

Remembering the power of people 

Looking back, the EDSA People Power Uprising was a culmination of popular discontent and collective frustration at the 21-year-long Marcos Sr. regime, with interference and discrepancies in the February 1986 snap elections being the last straw.

“The people rose against tyranny in a fashion that was intense and swift almost nationwide,” said alias Ben, a first-year public administration student and history enthusiast. The atrocities of the regime fanned the flames of discontent in pockets until its final explosion at EDSA.

It is known that nearly 2 million people had gathered along EDSA to echo the essence of the slogan once used to propel Cory Aquino to the presidency; “Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!” Individuals from various sectors took to the streets to protest against systemic oppression and impunity.

“It was the unity of People Power that seemingly for the first time in our history, a Filipino nation had consciously taken its destiny in its own hands,” Ben added.

After the momentum of demand from the masses, democracy was reinstated following the dictatorship — from the exile of Marcoses to Hawaii to proclaiming the new hope for the nation. By that, the People Power witnessed the untold stories and unheard voices for justice among Filipinos. The neverending union creates a legacy still alive in the minds and hearts of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

For alias Radz, a former history teacher and now provincial librarian, EDSA is more than the unity and the common fight, it is the extent of how voices change and movements shaped the life aftermath. 

"Political divisions, misinformation, and shifting priorities have changed how Filipinos engage in activism. However, every time people stand up for their rights, demand accountability or push for change, the spirit of EDSA lives on, reminding us that democracy is something we must continue to protect,” Radz said. 

The uprising in EDSA continues to shape Filipinos' hearts and minds after 39 years — even those who were not physically present or alive during the era. It would shape the way Filipinos valued their freedom and enjoy the blessings of democracy. 

“Some remember the hope and unity it brought, while others reflect on how its lessons seem to fade with time,” Radz expressed. 

The stories of EDSA continue to live on generation after generation, and it is woven into the consciousness of young Filipinos today. 

“Within a university organization, our alumni in the 1970s and 1980s were undoubtedly part of EDSA. I have heard them retell the times they were imprisoned during Martial Law,” Ben explained. 

These stories are just a handful of the 70,000 imprisoned, 34,000 tortured, and over 3,200 killed during the Martial Law period.

Despite this, its memory is slowly being erased. There are discrepancies on how the basic education teaches the Marcos era; for instance, a history textbook was found to merely mention martial law as a means of strengthening presidential power.

Moreover, the prevalence of disinformation through the distortion of historical narratives gave rise to narratives of a “peaceful” Marcos regime. Ben added that “having lived through disinformation drives online, I surmise that indemnifying People Power was key to the political agenda of an influential few.”

 

The success of EDSA People Power marked the historical figure of democracy. Aftermath of the event, there were shortcomings in the country that affected the quality of life among Filipinos. In the past, the failure to see the root causes of the nation's illnesses was presented — from the authority's failure to focus on governance, to the nation's difficulties to stability. 

"The greatest shortcoming, I would say, was that the potential of a united nation was wasted. Cory Aquino was unable to keep a very stable government; the Marcos cronies were seemingly replaced by other cronies as the privatization of the 1990s soon followed after her term; and no wide-ranging developments reached the poor enough to uplift the majority of Filipinos,” Ben said. 

Then and now, issues of political, economic, and societal injustices are still present to impede the essence of the mass calls for action. From lack of deep systemic reforms, inequalities in all forms, and corruption, this wakes up to even relive its spirit to ensure awareness and essence of People Power in the legacy of the national history. 

"To make its impact more lasting, there could have been stronger efforts in political and economic reforms, including stricter anti-corruption measures, a more inclusive approach to governance, and broader social programs to uplift marginalized communities. Education about democracy and civic engagement could have been strengthened to ensure that future generations would continue to uphold the values of EDSA,” Radz suggested.

At the end of the tunnel, the EDSA uprising after almost four decades, is just one of the historic events that shaped people's way of life. The narratives from affected innocent civilians and perspectives from different individuals during the time are a testament to their implication to the people. 

The protest and campaign to fight for the rights of the people will never be muted — but amplified, will never be halted — but intensified, and will never be forgotten — but remembered.

Beyond EDSA, it is more than just a history lesson that may be taught in a classroom. It is about realizing that, even if it ended the fascism that ruptured the hearts of the countrymen, it is never designed to heal and will never cure the nation's ailment. This modern-day uprising aims to educate the masses against disinformation from voting leaders who are only proactive during campaign seasons. 

Their system is explicitly designed to dehumanize the people and their land. Thus, it is a communal commitment to dismantle our historical amnesia, thereby ensuring our conscious human agency brings them to life in the elections. 

Lives endured before and after the uprising is eternally a fragment in history. However, the masses only win by the choices they make and the paths they take.