EDITORIAL - Beyond the revolt

Opposition to the administration may draw a sizeable crowd at commemorations today of the 1986 people power revolution. But after 31 years, the current administration will probably still get its wish – a simple commemoration, although not the part about “moving on.”

Because there has been no punishment for the sins of the dictatorship, moving on is difficult. Memories of the atrocities perpetrated by the martial law regime had already receded from the nation’s memory when they were dredged up last year with the sneak burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Human rights victims of martial law and those who remember the large-scale corruption of the conjugal dictatorship aren’t ready to bury the abuses of the regime.

The people power revolt was a source of pride for Filipinos and inspired similar mass actions for freedom around the world. The success of a popular revolt for freedom, however, must be nurtured by sustained heavy lifting to build a strong democracy that promotes inclusive economic growth. In these tasks the forces of EDSA still have a lot of work ahead.

Philippine democracy has been described as “flawed,” but democracy is intrinsically an imperfect system. What matters is that those who value civil liberties work constantly to correct the flaws and make hard-won freedom benefit both the individual and the larger community.

As the nation marks 31 years since EDSA, civil rights advocates are disturbed by popular support for law enforcement methods that circumvent the rule of law and disregard human rights. The support for politicians who espouse such methods can be traced to the weakness of the criminal justice system as well as perceptions that freedom is being abused and has not worked for the benefit of the majority. A yearning for firm government has to be among the factors for the strong showing of Marcos’ only son and namesake in the vice presidential race last year. The son is challenging the election result and might yet emerge victorious.

Overthrowing a dictatorial regime is not enough; structural reforms and institution building are needed to make democracy work. Economic growth that open markets engender must benefit not just the nation’s entrenched elite but also the masses. The best tribute to the memory of those historic four days in February 1986 is to make freedom work for the greatest number of Filipinos.