GMA to present Freedom, Peace Awards to heroes, heroines of EDSA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) will honor the men and women who have emerged the new heroes and heroines of EDSA People Power 2 on Sunday at the Shrine of Peace.

For giving a voice to the people’s collective conscience, upholding moral principles in governance and for their courage in taking action against corruption, cronyism and the coddling of criminal activities or personal gain in public office, the original impeachment complainants, endorsers, prosecutors and the senator-prosecutors will be cited.

The first group of awardees include Teresita Daza Baltazar, Datu Ahal Alonto, Fr. Roberto Reyes, Speaker Manuel Villar, Reps. Sonny Alvarez, Michael Defensor, Roilo Golez, Feliciano Belmonte, Joker Arroyo, Romeo Capulong, Ricardo Nepomuceno, Hernando Perez.

The second group are the witnesses for the prosecution in the impeachment trial – Ruben Almadro, Manuel Curato, Edgardo Espiritu, Carmencita Itchon, Emma Lim, Ani Ngo, Clarissa Ocampo, Gov. Luis Singson, Perfecto Yasay Jr. and Jose Yulo.

The third group are the ten senators who upheld the truth Rodolfo Biazon, Renato Cayetano, Franklin Drilon, Juan Flavier, Teofisto Guingona, Loren Legarda-Leviste, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sergio Osmeña, Aquilino Pimentel and Raul Roco.

The fourth group of individuals are the military and the police represented by Gen. Angelo Reyes and Gen. Leandro Mendoza. They are being cited for "unanimously upholding the side of the people instead of the individual, for electing to act as solid institutions instead of fragmented commands, pledging loyalty to the flag and the Constitution and openly withdrawing support to a morally-depraved leadership."

The last group is the Filipino people represented by former Presidents Corazon C. Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Jaime Cardinal Sin and a youth representative, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV.

President Arroyo will give the trophies and citations to the awardees and the response on their behalf will be delivered by Bam Aquino.

She will also unveil the marker for all the "Unnamed EDSA Heroes" before the mass to be offered by Cardinal Sin and all the bishops of the country.