MANILA, Philippines — Former president Fidel Ramos has urged Filipinos to practice unity, solidarity and teamwork amid trying times.
On the 32nd anniversary of EDSA People Power yesterday, Ramos reminded the crowd that the 1986 revolution was just the “beginning of change,” not the endpoint for the lives of Filipinos.
“We are just beginning. The outcome, which is a better future for all Filipinos, must be done by all succeeding presidential administrations,” the former president told the crowd.
Amid the supposed crackdown on dissenters, Ramos urged the administration to “embrace the opposition” and learn the lessons of EDSA, the four-day uprising that led to the peaceful ouster of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
“Don’t forget what we learned at EDSA and what is still going on is the unity of the Filipinos for a better future,” he added.
Ramos urged Filipinos to work as one community, not as Dabawenyos, Tagalogs or other localities.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairman Rene Escalante echoed Ramos’ statements, adding that President Duterte doesn’t want fights with any sector, opposition or pro-administration.
Ramos called out Duterte on his decision to skip the EDSA rites, and added that the President should have attended the commemoration of one of the most important events in the country’s history.
Escalante said the President had work to do and will commemorate the EDSA event in Davao City.
Duterte sent his message urging Filipinos to help in strengthening institutions that safeguard their freedom.
“May this occasion foster the unity and solidarity as we pursue our hopes and aspirations for our nation,” Duterte said.
Duterte said Filipinos, through the historic uprising in 1986, showed the world how “a people’s courage and resolve can alter the course of our nation’s history.”
Vice President Leni Robredo, for her part, urged Filipinos to “fight” those who disregard their dignity.
“Just like the homily of (Caceres) Archbishop (Rolando) Tirona, he reminds us to fight those who disregard the dignity of every Filipino,” Robredo said during the mass for the EDSA anniversary at the St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church in Naga City.
The Vice President also stressed that real power lies not in the hands of the government but in every Filipino.
She called on Filipinos to relive the spirit of the bloodless revolt every day to prevent the dark past from being repeated.
“The reason why the People Power Revolution happened was because of the extreme abuses and disrespect of Filipinos’ rights 32 years ago, we should not allow that to happen again,” Robredo said.
“Whenever there are instances of abuse, instances of disrespect to human rights, instances of killings, instances where people’s dignity is disregarded, we should fight back,” she said.
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Marvic Leonen posted his message on Twitter regarding the qualities of a good leader of the nation.
“A leader knows that there is a difference between authority and respect. The former is on a piece of paper with all the trappings of tradition and power. Authority based on entitlement does not last forever. Respect is painstakingly earned,” Leonen said.
Leonen said a good leader must use his authority while respecting constituents.
“They (constituents) follow him/her not because he/she has authority but because he/she inspires them to be the best in what they do,” he said.
“The great leader not only understands the value of earned respect, the wisdom of impermanence and the inevitability of sacrifice. That is, that there is the right time to let go, step down and allow others to lead,” Leonen pointed out.
Leonen added that a great leader should know that occupying power is not permanent.
“It is the mark of a great leader who knows that there will be others greater than him or her,” he added.?The SC justice did not name the leader he was pertaining to.
Leonen strongly criticized the martial law extension in Mindanao in his strongly worded dissenting opinion to the SC ruling last month.
He said the ruling allowing President Duterte’s re-extension of martial law in Mindanao “enables the rise of an emboldened authoritarian.”
“Contrary to the text and spirit of the Constitution, the decision in this case provides the environment that enables the rise of an emboldened authoritarian. This is far from the oath to the Constitution that I have taken. I, therefore, dissent,” Leonen said.
He believed that the ruling hews to “the same dangerous path” as when the Supreme Court, in the 1970s, upheld martial law under Marcos.
“Regardless of the motives of the justices then, it was a Court that was complicit to the suffering or our people. It was a Court that degenerated into a willing pawn diminished by its fear of the impatience of a dictator. The majority’s decision in this case aligns us towards the same dangerous path,” he said.
Even before the EDSA program started, tensions rose briefly as a religious group refused to move out of the People Power Monument before 6 a.m.
Police were forced to move their tents out of the way and the EDSA rites continued as scheduled.
A total of 1,500 policemen were deployed to secure the EDSA rites program.
After the reenactment of the “salubungan,” Ramos, Army Capt. Michael Asistores and PO3 Christopher Lalan were given the EDSA People Power Commission Award.
The Spirit of EDSA Foundation and Good Citizenship Award was also given to Melvin Gaa. – Helen Flores, Edu Punay