Edsa 1, our first People Power Revolution, changed our country’s political landscape. It gave us a fresh start and great hope of being great again. It could have been better — but still, if Edsa 1 had never happened, our country would have been in a much worse state. We just have to work together and act as one to give it that extra push needed to bring our country to the greatness we have been longing for.
Ogie Alcasid, commissioner, Edsa People Power Commission
I believe in the Filipino spirit! We will be a great nation one day. The process will be long and difficult but we will march on. Definitely, we are where we should be.
Ruffy Biazon, former representative, lone district of Muntinlupa City
I think we still have some way to go in terms of being a mature society under democracy. There have been instances where we seem not to know the responsibilities of the exercise of freedom. But, having said that, I also think that in general, we are where we should be. That is, we use democratic processes in changing and installing leaders, we have institutions of government that people can go to for their grievances, and there is people’s participation in governance. Some may say that it is not at an ideal level, but I think we are more than halfway there. We are definitely stepping in the right direction.
Andrew Masigan, businessman
As far as democracy goes, yes, we are where we should be. It’s taken us 25 years to build our democratic foundation to what it is today and by any means of measure, we are among the freest people in this part of the world. Here, we enjoy the right to political and religious expression, the right to congregate and the right to vote. We are all equal before the law and enjoy a free press. Above all, we have the right to representation and political power can only be gained through an electoral process. Just as we look at some of our neighbors and covet their level of economic development, so are we viewed with envy for the democracy we have worked hard to build. We have made great sacrifices as a nation to preserve and advance our democracy, and it is something to be proud of.
Where we have fallen short is in strengthening the institutions that are meant to protect our democracy from abuse. The judicial system, the national police, the armed forces and the tax bureaus have not fully matured in step with our freedoms. My wish is that P-Noy finishes the mission that his parents started by eradicating corruption and giving teeth to these institutions.
Emilio Abello III, chef
Edsa 1 was one of the single most shining moments for the Filipino people. It was a unique socio-political undertaking that was led by civilians and the Catholic Church. There would have been so much promise for the entire nation. However, Filipinos have this value system that is so deeply set and ingrained into our culture. We tend to become complacent. We belong to a country where the majority are easily swayed and will submit to those who will provide for the moment. Fresh out of college, it was Edsa 1 that moved me to join the government. I wanted to serve and make a difference. I wanted to carry the name of my late grandfather and lead in some way, shape or form. I served for five years. Stared at the problems of the country face-to-face and was horrified and disillusioned. I kept saying, “Hindi kaya ni Tita Cory ang mga problema ng bansa natin. Kailangan lahat ng tao.....mayaman at mahirap ang magpupursige paa umunlad tayo.” Memories were short. The resolve was not strong enough. Many made the mistake of giving back the power to those who drowned our country. We should have been a force to reckon with in Southeast Asia. We should have kept many of our dedicated and talented Filipinos at home. We should have been able to elect real service-oriented leaders who would not be concerned with money but more for the welfare of the greater number of Filipinos. We should have had more private sector leaders want to serve in government and lend their talents to their country. The campaign that should have been launched should have been a campaign focused on educating the masses on the importance of selecting good leaders. Not leadership based on being a media personality or having a deep pocket (which was actually sewed onto the coffers of the government). Then we were blessed with Edsa 2. I would hate to believe that ganyan kamanhid ang sambayanang Pilipino. Hindi na tayo natuto noong minsan. Hindi araw-araw mabibiyayaan tayo ng ambon mula sa langi. Sayang. Such a waste of our resolve, our prayers, our coming together and risking our lives on the streets was in vain. And for what did we stand vigil only to have us suffer yet again because there are those who have made a mockery of the Filipinos whom they swore to serve? We only have one country. And we need to fight for what is good for the greatest number because our children and theirs to follow need to inherit a country that redeemed itself by the hard work of all. Not just talk but action. Not just action but a spirituality that truly differentiates us from others. Do we have leaders who can be honest and loyal to God, country and family? Then let’s get them in there and put them to work. It is leaders with those qualities that will lead us to rise from the ashes.
Former Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad
No, we are not. It is so unfortunate. What Edsa 1 gave us, we have lost. It was a dream we chased and caught. We, all by ourselves, threw it away. We were given a warm, honest leader, but corruption is hydra-headed and while she was able to cut off many heads, it refused to die. Tilting against windmills. But corruption was minimized and we were on the right track. After Edsa 1 there was the thinking that the creation of more agencies would solve the recurring problems of government. More agencies, more opportunities for corruption. A mad scramble for the goodies always follows. Many Edsa 1 players set the example. That is the best thing to do. Lead by example. But others were out to get even and get rich. The result was an unstoppable erosion in trust in government and its officials. I will not go into details here of the whys and why-nots. That will take many pages or even volumes. We have a cancer not only in government but in our society that shouts praises to the wealthy, whichever way their wealth was acquired. Please do not think that I am against having wealth. That is, in fact, a goal for people to work for — honestly. We are nowhere. Edsa 1 gave us a morning star. We disappointed her example. Again, we have been sent someone to remind us of what we have lost and forgotten. It is all up to us now.
Dr.Neric Acosta, professor of Environmental Management/former representative of Bukidnon/secretary general of Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
It’s the proverbial half-full, half-empty perspective. On one hand, we have had a functioning, albeit still fledgling, democracy over the last 25 years. On the other, we have a long way to go in terms of having strong and corruption-free institutions, the rule of law, a smaller divide between the minority rich and the many who are poor. Yet, all told, there is much to be grateful for — the freedoms we enjoy, the democratic spaces that allow us to push for greater public accountability and fairness, the fact that despite some missed opportunities or failures, Edsa 1 remains an inviolate national memory and a wellspring of what is best and excellent in the Filipino.
Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri
We have gone a long way after Edsa 1. The very freedom in almost every aspect we enjoy today is but a result and clear manifestation of People Power. And that freedom is likewise the very instrument that we use to attain lasting peace and progress.
Jose “Titoy” Pardo, former Finance and Trade secretary
The greater challenge now, really, is to instill in the next generation the spirit of Edsa, that is, to do one’s share in making a difference for this country. Are we where we should be after Edsa? I’d like to think that we could try a little harder to deserve our democratic gains but as I said, we should continue to build on what Edsa has gifted us.
Former Sec. Gabby Claudio
What and where we are now as a nation and people is what we deserve and choose to be. Edsa 1 gave us the freedom to fully exercise the rights to choose the most deserving leaders, to make them accountable through an active if not hyperactive system of checks and balances, and to institutionalize a vigilant national response to the problems of poverty, disunity, injustice and corruption. Twenty-five years thence, the wise use of that freedom still eludes us. Partisan and selfish factionalism, vindictiveness, cynicism and hypocrisy abound where the institutions of democracy should be genuinely poised to uplift the lives of our people. Yet there is a wellspring of hopefulness that, as long as we can all dream and work as one, we will, sooner or later, get to where we ought to be: a progressive society that upholds the dignity of every Filipino. That is Edsa 1’s greatest legacy.