This is a date many people would rather forget. Unlike the annual celebration of the February 1986 people power revolution, which restored democracy, there are no events to celebrate the anniversary of EDSA II, the four-day uprising that culminated with the ouster of Joseph Estrada as president 13 years ago today.
EDSA Dos started with a gathering at the EDSA Shrine for prayers after Estrada’s allies in the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court in the unprecedented trial of a president for corruption, blocked the opening of documents believed to be crucial in the prosecution’s case.
The first people power revolt ended a dictatorship; the second was supposed to strike a blow against corruption. But Estrada’s constitutional successor, his vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, soon found herself facing her own corruption scandals. She is currently held without bail for plunder – the second president after Estrada to suffer this fate – and is seen by critics to have betrayed the spirit of the people power revolt.
Thirteen years after EDSA Dos, eradicating corruption remains a work in progress. While President Aquino, who was borne to power on the wings of an anti-corruption promise, has remained personally untouched by scandal, many of his political allies and even some members of his official family have been implicated in anomalous deals. As a recent survey also indicated, corruption remains entrenched within the bureaucracy, impervious to the avowed thrust of the daang matuwid administration.
There are no activities to celebrate the 13th anniversary of EDSA Dos today. But the event should inspire more effort to address a problem that destroys the fabric of society. Corruption retards every effort to achieve inclusive growth and ease poverty. Thirteen years after EDSA Dos, the nation should reaffirm the resolve to eliminate this scourge.