Philippines’ Manila A coalition of Martial Law victims stated on Thursday that passing legislation designating the EDSA People Power anniversary as a regular holiday is crucial to maintaining the legacy of the Filipino people’s fight against Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship.
The bill introduced by Representative Edcel Lagman (Albay) to make February 25th, the anniversary of EDSA, a regular national non-working holiday was well received by the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA).
The day, which commemorated the overthrow of the father and namesake of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was left from the list of 18 official holidays for the next year.
The Marcoses’ “desperate low take, in line with their systematic schemes distorting history,” was how CARMMA described this omission.
The group released a statement saying, “This is obviously meant to belittle the Filipino people’s efforts in ousting a tyrant and dictator.”
Lagman, a survivor of martial law, added in his submission of House Bill 9405 that the nation’s holiday celebrations of the democratic milestone are a “continuing distortion of the verities about the evils and repression of the Marcos martial era.”
The People Power movement was a “long, arduous struggle against tyranny and Martial Law that cost the lives of thousands of Filipinos,” as CARMMA emphasized, leaving a lasting impression on the nation.
It stated: “It is crucial to maintain that the events that took place from the beginning of the Marcos dictatorship until February 25, 1986, should be ingrained in the collective memory of our people, as we continue to face the same kinds of violations of human rights, embezzlement of public funds, and repressive laws that lead to pervasive and severe poverty.”
The group of people who were harmed by martial law also urged MPs to back the bill’s passage.
It read, “Let the people’s voice be heard through this as we vow to never again, never forget!”
Malacañang defended the event’s removal from the list of holidays in 2024, arguing that because it falls on a Sunday and most workers have the day off, there will be “minimum socioeconomic impact.”
This year, in an effort to extend the weekend and encourage holiday economics, the Palace rescheduled the celebration of the EDSA People Power anniversary for Friday, February 24.
