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EDSA 1 After 28 years: How is democracy in the Philippines?

I. Introduction

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless

revolution erupted, called EDSA People Powers Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked asignificant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino.This part of Philippine history gives us a strong sense of pride especially that other nationshad attempted to emulate what we have shown the world of the true power of democracy.The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its successful efforts to ousta tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and bloodshed. Prayers androsaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that the Filipinos used to recovertheir freedom from President Ferdinand Marcoss iron hands. The Epifanio de los SantosAvenue (EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the peaceful demonstration was held on thatfateful day. It was a day that gathered all Filipinos in unity with courage and faith to prevail

democracy in the country. It was the power of the people, who assembled in EDSA, thatrestored the democratic Philippines, ending the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it cameto be known as the EDSA People Powers Revolution.

The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life threateningabuses executed by the Marcos government to cite several events like human rightsviolation since the tyrannical Martial Law Proclamation in 1972. In the years that followedMartial Law started the suppressive and abusive yearsincidents of assassination wererampant, particularly those who opposed the government, individuals and companies alikewere subdued. The Filipinos reached the height of their patience when former SenatorBenigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his

return to the Philippines from exile in the United States. Aquinos death marked the day thatFilipinos learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinosand the world the strength and courage to claim back the democracy that Ferdinand Marcosarrested for his personal caprice. Considering the depressing economy of the country,Ninoys death further intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to

win back his popularity among the people, Marcos held a snap presidential election inFebruary 7, 1986, where he was confronted with a strong and potent opposition, CorazonAquino. It was the most corrupt and deceitful election held in the Philippine history. Therewas an evident trace of electoral fraud as the tallies of votes were declared with discrepancybetween the official count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count of

NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in that electionwas the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. Former DefenseMinister Juan Ponce Enrile demonstration started to break in the cry for democracy and thedemand to oust Marcos from his seat at Malacaang Palace. The revolt commenced whenJuan Ponce Enrile and the Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos,both withdrew their support from the government and called upon the resignation of thenPresident Marcos. They responsibly barricaded Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and hadtheir troops ready to combat against possible armed attack organized by Marcos and his

http://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_marcos.asphttp://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_marcos.asphttp://www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_marcos.asp

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troops. The Catholic Church represented by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with thepriests and nuns called for the support of all Filipinos who believed in democracy. RadyoVeritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that summoned thousands of Filipinos to marchthe street of EDSA. It was an empowering demonstration that aimed to succeed peacefullywith the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled in front of tanks with rosaries in their hands and

uttering their prayers.

With the power of prayers, the armed marine troops under the command of Marcoswithdrew from the site. Celebrities expressed their support putting up a presentation toshowcase the injustices and the anomalies carried out by the Marcos administration. Finally,in the morning of February 25, 1986, Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath of office,administered by the Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipinolocated in San Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the Republic of thePhilippines. She was the first lady president of the country. People rejoiced over their victoryproving the success of the EDSA Peoples Power Revolution, the historic peaceful

demonstration. Although in 2001, there was an attempt to revive People Power in theefforts to oust then President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as the glorifyingdemonstration in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA renewed the powerof the people, strengthened the meaning of democracy and restored the democraticinstitutions of government.

The Philippines has the most persistently undemocratic democracy in Asia. Except forthe period of dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos between 1972 and 1986, the Philippineshave had a functioning democracy since independence from the United States in 1946. Atthe same time, a small group of powerful families has dominated politics and kept theeconomic benefits of power to themselves. Many analysts use the modifier "elite" when

referring to Philippine democracy. (Bello and Gershman,1990)

II. Gist

The Philippines has the most persistently undemocratic democracy in Asia. Except forthe period of dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos between 1972 and 1986, the Philippineshave had a functioning democracy since independence from the United States in 1946. Atthe same time, a small group of powerful families has dominated politics and kept theeconomic benefits of power to themselves. Many analysts use the modifier "elite" when

referring to Philippine democracy. (Bello and Gershman,1990)

Effective participation by citizens outside of elections is limited. Unlike Malaysia andSingapore (much more obviously unlike the military dictatorship in Burma) with theirInternal Security Acts, the Philippine state does not impose too many formal limits to theself-organization of disadvantaged groups. But a combination of bureaucratic rules andinformal means including violence continues to make organizing difficult. Without effectivepopular pressure, government is generally not accountable. (Rocamora, 2005)

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While labor and peasant organizations remain weak, other civil society organizations,

NGOs and new social movements groups including women and environmental groups arestrong and continue to build significant political capability. Initiatives to build new kinds ofpolitical parties come from this section of Philippine society. They also constitute a strong

base of support for initiatives to reform Philippine politics, to transform a weak,incompetent government dominated by rent-seeking elites. (Rocamora, 2005)

III. Recommendations/ Personal Position