‘EDSA celebration not linked to RH law’

MANILA, Philippines - The celebration of the 27th anniversary of EDSA People Power had nothing to do with the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) law.

Peachy Yamsuan, head of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communications, issued the statement yesterday amid speculations on why the observance of the People Power Revolution was not held at the EDSA Shrine.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal expressed dismay that the contributions of the Church to topple the dictatorship 27 years ago were never mentioned during the celebration. 

Vidal said even Jaime Cardinal Sin was not mentioned.

Yamsuan said the decision on the venue for the celebration lies with the EDSA People Power Commission headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

“It is the EDSA Committee that decides where to hold the activities for the celebration,” she said.

The EDSA Shrine only holds special Masses to commemorate the restoration of democracy and to celebrate the Shrine’s feast day, which falls on the same day.

Yamsuan said she could not recall how many times the EDSA Shrine hosted the People Power celebration. – Evelyn Macairan, Marigold Lebumfacil/Freeman