After People Power I, two Aquinos take helm

By Marianne T. Escanilla / Special Features Writer

EVERY February 25th, we commemorate a most revered event that happened in the country 26 years ago. More commonly known as “The Bloodless Revolution,” People Power 1 made its indelible mark in our collective consciousness as a nation.

For four days, courageous Filipinos made history as they gathered along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue on the 21st of February 1986 up until the 25th to fight for and restore the nation’s democracy. Several politicians and civil activist groups led the whole nation in what will be a peaceful and bloodless rebellion against the regime headed by former President Ferdinand Marcos.

Succeeding the fallen strongman was former President Corazon C. Aquino. Fondly known to Pinoys as “Cory,” she is considered as the person the nation held on to during those tough, trying times. She was the singular beacon of hope of the country, much so after the assassination of her husband, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Cory has made such an impact to Philippine history by restoring the spirit of democracy to the country. With millions of Filipinos rallying behind her, she was the symbol of hope for them.

Ramon C. Casiple, a political analyst, activist against the Marcos regime and a participant of the first bloodless revolution, intimated that the end of the dictatorship was a euphoric time for all the Filipinos.

“Though we know that problems would rush in after the celebration—with rebuilding institutions a first priority—we still celebrated and cheered with euphoria. We all felt that a big burden was lifted off our shoulders,” he shared.

Casiple was one of the spirited individuals who have set the People Power Revolution into motion. This paved the way to freedom of the country from the cudgels of an oppressive leadership.

“We were part of the anti-dictatorship movement at that time, more commonly known as a mass movement. The entire period from 1983 to 1985, we were the first to set the ground for the People Power after the snap elections,” he admitted in an interview with Business Mirror in the Institute for Political and Economic Reform headquarters, where he is currently the executive director.

Repercussions

After the peaceful rebellion in those glorious days of February 1986, Cory administered several programs to address the number of crises slowly emerging at that time. The removal of dictatorial influences in the government has been her primary plan. Creating a Revolutionary Constitution, she was bent ironing out the mess within the government. Marcos cronies and supporters were removed from positions, giving the government a chance to start with a clean slate. She also handed out general amnesties, setting captives from the martial law free.

But Cory’s term was not without problems and challenges. A series of coups d’ etat staggered her fledgling administration, stalling peace talks between the government and the “leftists.” The plan of peaceful negotiations between the two parties faltered because of these mutinies.

However, Casiple said those were not the biggest challenge of Cory and her tenure. “The Aquino administration’s biggest crisis then was the economy. The Philippines was drowning in debt at that time with what Marcos has left it with,” he said.

Different measures were instituted by her government to address these issues, but it wasn’t able to find a solution. Until now, Casiple opined, the country is still reeling from the aftermath of the Marcos regime. The present administration is still “earning the fruits” of history.

Mother and son

At present, the nation is again under the helm of an Aquino. As history would have it, Cory’s only son—the namesake of her husband who would have been thrust into the highest office in the land—Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, or P-Noy, was elected as the 15th Philippine president.

Now entering his third year of service, it can’t be helped that Filipinos would already make comparisons between the “son” and the “mother.” Casiple said that the two administrations cannot be contrasted directly.

“The two are not comparable because they are in different situations. Cory’s administration has already made history while P-Noy’s is still ongoing. This is aside from the fact that Cory succeeded a dictatorial government.”

Democracy is a common denominator and the foundation of Cory’s and P-Noy’s administrations, Casiple believed. Cory was its symbol to the Filipino, while P-Noy fights to bring its benefits to each and every Filipino. They have both played a major role restoring the people’s faith in democracy to the country.

“Cory had already done her part in bringing forth democracy; it is now the son’s responsibility to do his,” Casiple said. “The only edge of P-Noy now is that the people are well-informed of the things happening. It is not difficult for him to inform and let people know the situation of the country,” Casiple added.

Twenty-six years have passed, but the images of those triumphant days and the spark of hope triggered by the first People Power Revolution still linger in the minds of those who risked life and limb in Edsa, and the rest of the Filipinos who witnessed it unfold.

How about on this present generation? Casiple waxed inspirational: “The impact of this historical event depends on how this generation perceives it. It is indeed in the past, but anyone could be a part of it depending on their perception.”