People Power does not live on today, say social web users
MANILA, Philippines - This week marks the 24th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution.
From February 22 to February 25, 1986, a series of peaceful protests along Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue led to the deposition of the Marcos regime and the restoration of democracy to the Philippines. The non-violent demonstrations were the first of their kind, with many crediting People Power for sparking similar movements for democracy around the world.
So we asked, given the current political climate, have Filipinos truly lived the lessons of the EDSA Revolution?
Among netizens, the answer was a resounding ‘No’.
Facebook user, Annecy Parumog, blames what she says is the Filipino tendency to easily forget the past. She says, Filipinos must remain vigilant and should not settle into complacency. @PortiaShylock believes that the conditions that spurred the EDSA Revolution still exist in the Philippines today – namely, the abuse of power, lack of accountability, and disunity. @lyleatienza, however, was quick to note that much of the People Power generation has died or migrated overseas, and the new generation does not understand the significance of the movement.
Referring to the country’s level of political maturity, @forg9587 says EDSA Dos, EDSA Tres, and other attempts to replicate the original movement "speak volumes". @iangomez similarly admonishes Filipinos for electing the wrong leaders and "'People Power[-ing]' them out of office." In doing so, he says, Filipinos are misusing collective action.
Meanwhile, one Facebook user, Bert Salon, believes the Philippines was better off during the Marcos administration, and that EDSA replaced a dictator with "a bunch of corrupt politicians".
But amid the generally glum discussion, @carolinian0612 added an optimistic note. She tweeted that while she experienced neither martial law under Marcos nor witnessed the valor of those who gathered on EDSA in 1986, she is thankful to the Filipinos who fought for democracy. @justinecastillo shared these sentiments, noting that "EDSA 1 was about choosing democracy". She added, the fact that we can openly discuss issues is proof of its success.
The 1986 People Power Revolution thrust the Philippines into the global political limelight for showing the world just how far the young country would go for democracy.
And with May's polls looming, Filipinos are again clamoring for change.
Add to the discussion by tweeting us at @ANCALERTS, becoming a fan of our Facebook fan page, ANC 24/7, or posting a video response on our YouTube account, ANCALERTS, and tell us if you think 1986’s struggle for democracy still lives on today.
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The best thing going for the
thank
The best thing going for the
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Biggest mistake EVER
1. NBN? ZTE Scandal
2. Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)
3. Cheating in 2004 Elections (Hello Garci)
4. Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million)
5. Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200 Million)
6. Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)
7. Use of Road User's Tax for Campaigning
8. Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532 Million)
9. Juetengate? (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks)
10. Extra Judicial Killings
11. Arroyo Moneys in Germany (Exposed by Senator Cayetano)
12. General Garcia and Other Military Men
13. Billion Peso Poll Automation contract (P1.3 Billion)
14. Northrail Project($503 Million)
15. Maguindanao Results of 2007 Elections (Zubiri, Bedol)
16. NAIA-3
17. Venable Contract (Norberto Gonzales)
18. Swine Scam (Exposed by? Atty. Harry Roque
19. GLORIA Arroyo son hidden assets in united states
Biggest mistake EVER
1. NBN? ZTE Scandal
2. Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)
3. Cheating in 2004 Elections (Hello Garci)
4. Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million)
5. Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200 Million)
6. Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)
7. Use of Road User's Tax for Campaigning
8. Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532 Million)
9. Juetengate? (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks)
10. Extra Judicial Killings
11. Arroyo Moneys in Germany (Exposed by Senator Cayetano)
12. General Garcia and Other Military Men
13. Billion Peso Poll Automation contract (P1.3 Billion)
14. Northrail Project($503 Million)
15. Maguindanao Results of 2007 Elections (Zubiri, Bedol)
16. NAIA-3
17. Venable Contract (Norberto Gonzales)
18. Swine Scam (Exposed by? Atty. Harry Roque
19. GLORIA Arroyo son hidden assets in united states
Arroyo is WAY WORST than
Arroyo is WAY WORST than Marcos. While Marcos was ousted by People Power. People Power also assumed the MOST corrupt leader on our land. EDSA can only redeem its true spirit if ARROYO, the most unworthy person to be called Filipino, will be ousted!
The very spirit and sanctity
The very spirit and sanctity of the People Power have all been lost since the very day Arroyo has assumed President... That is the bitter truth... This can only be redeemed if Arroyo will be ousted overwhelmingly by the same power.
People Power For What?
The Philippine government never learned from various mistakes. Filipinos remained fanatic to their idols in the government, manok ko ito-manok mo yan. Politicians are like crabs destroying each other to win a seat in the government. Soldiers alike staging protests against their superior's conduct, against the government, and against poverty. Everybody's fighting for something, for a change, but did we achieve something? How can we live with such game plays? Filipinos were being used, specifically poor people, so that a politician gets the position he aspire in the government. OFWs doesn't want to come home anymore. All these years, citizens were being used by politicians. No change at all in governance. In an earthquake-devastated Haiti, I heard one OFW doesn't wanted to go back to RP since life is more difficult he says. In the Middle East, OFWs tend to consider the low salary, as the economy is more stable than RP. In countries, where we hear massive recessions, OFWs doesn't want to go back anymore in RP. When can the Philippine government gonna learn from repeated mistakes? You are eventually killing your citizens, folks.
Malaking Pagkakamali
Ang malaking pagkakamali ni Marcos ay ang bigyan ng kapangyarihan ang mga militar na hanggang sa ngayon ay namamayagpag. Kaya dumanas ng maraming coup sa panahon ni Cory ay dahil ayaw bumalik ng mga militar sa barracks at gusto nila sila ang humawak ng kapangyarihan. Kung hindi naging gahaman si Marcos sa kapangyarihan ay hindi sana nagkaroon ng martial law. Hanggang ngayon ang mga militar pa rin ang may control sa ating pamahalaan dahil nagumon na ang mga militar sa masaganang pamumuhay. Sila ang protector ng mga corrupt officials sa ating bansa. Sa pagnanasan nilang hindi na umalis sa kanilang marangyang pamumuhay ay mananatiling ang militar ang magpapa-ikot sa ating bansang Pilipinas. Sino man ang maging Pangulo ng ating bansa ay held hostage sila ng mga matataas na official ng militar. Kaya hanggang may mga militar sa ating Pamahalaan na dapat pamunuan ng mga civilian hindi uunlad ang ating bayan.
Marahil...
Marahil si Macoy ay isang mabuting Pilipino at Makabayan Bakit? Siguro kung siya ay mabalasik na presidente gaya ng sinasambit ng ilang kritiko marahil wala sina; Ninoy Aquino, President Cory at kaniyang pamilya mga Lopez sina Erap na yan at Gloria sina Enrile, Honasan at marami pa iba. Dahil ayon nga sa kwento ng ilan siya ay isang Diktadurya at pumaslang ng libo-libong tao marahil kung totoo ito bakit buhay pa ang mga tao na magiging threat sana sa kanya siguro exaggerated lang yung storya ng ilan. Anyway my way Patay na naman siya at si Aquino at Cory malamang nagkita-kita na sila sa kabilang buhay.
Sa umiiral na sistema ngayon mas worst pa kaysa noong panahon ni Macoy ng dahil sa Kalayaan, maraming dayuhan ang malaya sa bansa natin dumami ang mga sindikato, obserbahan nyo kung anong lahi, ang kalayaan pabor para sa dayuhan upang mag negosya sila at yumaman ubusin ang likas na yaman ng bansa mga mineral etc..ngunit ang mga Pinoy ano na nangyari nandoon sa ibayong dagat at doon nagpapakamatay sa trabaho, ito ang isang obvious na kalayaan ang umalis ng bansa at mamasukan sa ibang dayuhan. Iilan lamang ang iniikutan ng swerte sa Pilipinas ang iba nga diyan tumanda na naka upo pa rin bilang politiko at iba may tabako pa rin sa bibig animo kapre, hay buhay ang inggit nga naman.
Hello World!
If you ruled for 20 years, there are things you will bound to accomplished specially under the guise of dictatorship. Cebu Plaza Hotel was one of Imelda Marcos project as she ran with her projects nationwide unchecked while her husband was in power. Of course, where the money came from was not so much of an issue since who will challenge her during their reign of power. Much can be said for Marcos presidency, till we decided enough was enough.
In my Understanding,
"Democracy was not created to dictate the destiny of its citizens. It has a duty to avoid interfering with our hopes and dreams, except where necessary to maintain order. The government should not be conscripting us into the service of its hopes and dreams, with thousand-page draft notices. A nation becomes great because of what its people achieve, not because of what they are required to do… or what they are forbidden to do."
We have reach in our current state in democracy because men and women who we elected no longer have the virtue or morality. They no longer or never had respected the individual rights of each citizens.
At the same note, each individual citizen have their duty as well if should our elected are lacking in understanding. In a democracy if the elected should forget, "the source of all authority, the legitimate basis of all power is the collective body of the people, the citizens. There is popular sovereignty of the citizens and thereby government by consent of the governed. A citizen is a full and equal member of a polity, such as a democratic nation. The responsibilities of citizenship also involve action to narrow the gap between ideals and realities. If citizens of a democracy would have security for their rights, they must take responsibility for them as well, such as respect the rights of others. And they must act to defend their own rights and the rights of others against those who would abuse them."
If you look for the government to take care of you, then democracy is not what you long for, but a socialistic government. However, even though as it may at any form, responsibility will come with it. This is why FREEDOM is not FREE guys. It's hard work and requires action within each individual to be constant.
Democracy has been around before Christ, the weakest link has always been the human frailties. In regards to EDSA, I don't think the majority of the population quite understand it's accomplishment nor sympathize it, however the spirit is somewhat complaisant in some form or another.