After the Aquino Assassinations resident Marcos was removed from the office by the
People Power Revolution on February 22-25, 1986. We returned to democracy again.
So how this happened with just a span of 4 days? Who contributed with the freedom
we gain from the dictatorship? Here's your What? Why? When? Where? And How? It all
started with the calling of Snap Presidential Election to Pres. Marcos and he was forced
to call for a special snap presidential election on Feb. 7, 1986. But before that what is
Snap Election? -Accdg. to Cambridge Dictionary, it is a election that is announced
suddenly or unexpectedly. The point of this election is to have a poll without a long
campaign. So basically, it is a type of election that must be done quickly and sensitively.
Meaning people should decide and think very carefully of who are the deserving leader
they must chose during crucial times. People sided with two different parties, both
aiming for change and bright future for their country. Both parties are: The ruling KBL
party presented Marcos as their candidate for president with Assemblyman Arturo M.
Tolentino for vice president. Their slogan is "Marcos pa rin" showing their loyalty to
President Marcos While, the political opposition united and presented a surprise
candidate, Mrs. Corazon "Cory" Aquino (Ninoy's widow) for president with Assemblyman
Salvador H. Laurel for vice president. Their slogan is "Tama na, sobra na, palitan na!"
which shows their support and trust to Mrs. Aquino Here's the reason why the Snap
Presidential Election is the most historic election in Philippines history: (1) For the first
time, a woman candidate, Mrs. Aquino, ran (and won) for president. And I see it, it the
most bravest decision a woman could ever do stepping in into the male dominated field,
fighting for her rights and the rights of her fellowmen. (2) It was the most expensive
and dirtiest election in our history. Government used "guns, goons, and gold" to buy or
scare voters. Imagine? Commiting cruelty just to gain power and making an unjust and
unfair way of campaigning, and one of the politician is greatly killed showing no mercy.
His name is; Evelio Javier Jr. - the former governor of Antique, was brutally murdered
by pro-government goons. (3) most Filipinos are honest and could not be bribed or
scared, they voted honestly and guarded the ballot boxes with their lives. We proved
that we are worthy of democracy and we deserve freedom because we showed we
were willing to fight for our rights. And that's the biggest contribution Filipinos could
ever made to gain back the democracy and brave enough to stand for what they
deserve. the (NAMFREL) National Movement for Free Elections they were the ones who
organized the biggest volunteer movements in the Philippines together with church,
leaders, and youth groups. They watched polling precincts and ballot boxes. Even
government people protested cheating. Several Commission on Election ( COMELEC)
clerks walked out during the official counting. But what is NAMFREL? -It was founded
on Oct. 10, 1983 by Jose Concepcion Jr, it is a election watchdog in the Philippines, this
is the first and most famous watch campaigns. Ensuring that Filipinos voted righteously
with dedication and honest. NAMFREL was known to introduced non-partisan national
election monitoring to the Philippines. Meaning without any biased form, especially to
any particular political group. Lastly, It was the most confusing election in our country.
Both sides claimed they won. The private and unofficial count by volunteer watchdogs
showed that Mrs. Aquino and Mr. Laurel won. The official government count showed
that President Marcos and Mr. Tolentino had won. The Batasan proclaimed Marcos and
Tolentino as the winners. But during their in auguration at Malacañang Palace, the
Filipino people were already in a revolution. No foreign government congratulated
Marcos. The snap election was the last "ding dong" of doom for Marcos dictatorship,
because finally the dictatorship is over and an empowered woman is ready to step in
into the male dominated field, for the people in the Philippines. The "People Power
Revolution" On February 22-25, 1986, the Filipino people united in a peaceful,
prayerful, and successful revolution to bring back democracy in the Philippines. This
bloodless revolution was called People Power Revolution also known as the EDSA
Revolution, was a significant event in the history of the Philippines, uprising a
culmination of years of political repression, economic decline, and social injustice under
the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos. It marked a pivotal moment in the struggle
for democracy and set a precedent for non-violent resistance worldwide. It started at
Camp Aguinaldo, EDSA, on Saturday February 22, 1986. But what is Camp Aguinaldo?
It is a military headquarters of the Philippines Army and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and is located in Quezon City in the Philippines. Defense Secretary
Juan Ponce Enrile and Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos called a pres
conference to announce that they no longer support President Marcos. They admitted
that Mrs. Aquino won the election and that the government cheated. They admitted and
that made a change for a years of dictatorship. They asked President Marcos to resign
for the good of the country. They also asked the people to protect them from the
troops still loyal to Marcos. Immediately, leaders like Mrs. Aquino Agapito "Butz" Aquino
(Ninoy's brother) , Cardinal sin and other inspired volunteers to protect the rebels at
Camp Aguinaldo in EDSA. The appeal also went over Radio Veritas and a secret radio
station with June Keithly. By morning of Sunday, February 23, tens of thousands of
people men, women,and children formed a human barricades along EDSA and nearby
streets. Carrying nothing but hope and courage to finally gain freedom and make their
rights visible and heard. The situation could have been very bloody. The government
tanks, trucks, and armed soldiers cane to arrest the rebels at Camp Aguinaldo. The
rebels were also ready to shoot and kill. Both preparing for an intense fight that could
possibly happen, they were ready to risk their lives just to stand with their in favor
parties. But between them were the people, unarmed civilians, who did not want them
to fight. People stood, knelt, or sat in front of the government tanks and trucks. They
had no weapons, but they were ready to sacrifice their lives. They showed love and
kindness to the soldiers— giving them smiles, hand shakes, hugs, food, soft drinks,
cigarettes, and flowers. The people melted the heart of the soldiers. Imagine? Having to
join in that revolution with the only weapon of hope? Without thinking that you are
prone to the possibilities that your life is in danger, that is enough to be define as brave
HERO. The next two days, more and more soldiers sided with the people. Millions of
people, rich and poor alike, went to barricades in the street of Quezon City and Manila.
The press, television, and radio flashed the dramatic news happening in the Philippines
around the world. President Marcos was finished. On the night of Tuesday, February 25,
he and his family and some friends left the country quickly in a U.S Air Force jet. Ending
their faith from the dictatorship, and finally let go to be the leader of the Philippines, it
all happened because of the unity of the Filipinos They went to United States. The
former president and Mrs. Marcos lived in exile on Honolulu, Hawaii. The "People Power
Revolution" was over and the Filipino danced and sang in the streets that night with so
much joy and fulfilment. We lit bonfires and greeted each other's with finger "L" sign
which stood for laban or fight.. We cried tears of joy and thanksgiving, knelting down
and thanked God for the miracle of the bloodless revolution. And that's the most
fulfilling thing the Filipino people had gained because they finally achieved what they
want. With that, there are important lesson that ee could gain by this historic revolution
that come to happened in our country. The Importance of "People Power Revolution" It
is important not only here in the Philippines but also for the rest of the world. The
significance of this revolution was as follows: (1) the courage, sacrifices, and faith of
the Filipino people won the admiration of the whole world, because it is the most
genuine thing a whole people could do for their country and for ther lives; (2) it
peacefully ousted a dictator and brought back a democratic government, it happened
because of the unity of people. If it weren't for their willingness and eagerness they
could never kicked out a dictator; (3) other Asians were inspired by the Philippine
example to fight and won political reforms in their own countries; and (4) it showed
that God answers the united prayers of Christians and made a miracle in our country.
After all, it was all God mercy and miracle that brought us to gain our freedom, they
lighted up Filipinos perspective that made them realized of what they should stand for.
The Aquino Government In the morning of February 25, 1986, the last day of the
revolution, Mrs. Corazon Aquino took her cold of office as the new president of the
Philippines. The simple ceremony was held at Club Filipino, Greenhills, Metro Manila.
Thus, Mrs. Aquino became the first lady president of our country. President Aquino
appointed a new Cabinet and restored democracy. She set free all political prisoners.
On March 25, 1986, proclaimed a temporary "Freedom Constitution" She swept away
the old constitution and goverment of the Marcos dictatorship. Then she visited other
countries and wit new aid and investments for the Philippines She went to Singapore,
Indonesia, Japan,the United States, and other countries. On September 18, 1986 she
gave a speech to the joint session of the American Congress. Her sincerity moved the
audience to applaud her many times. After the unity force of Filipino people, Mrs.
Aquino began to step in as the new president of the Philippines paving the way all tge
barriers she had to conquer along her journey, and began to show people what she got
as a female leader. The New Constitution President Aquino appointed delegates to a
new constitutional commission (Con-Com) to make a new constitution. The Con-Com
delegates met from June 2 until October 15, 1986. The president of the Con-Com was
Mrs. Cecilia Mufñoz Palma, retired Supreme Court justice. The new constitution was
approved by the people in a free plebiscite on February 2, 1987. What is Con- Com? Aquino nominated 48 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (Con-Com),
chaired by former activist Supreme Court Associate Justice Cecilia Munoz-Palma, to
expedite the restoration of the entire constitutional government and the formulation of
a new charter. In October 1986, the Con-Com finished its final draft. On February 2,
1987, the Filipino people decisively accepted the new Philippine Constitution, which
heavily focused on civil liberties, human rights, and social justice. The people voted
76% yes for the new constitution. On May 11, 1987, new senators and congressmen
were elected to the new Congress. It was one of the most peaceful and honest
elections in Philippine history. The officers of the new Congress were Jovito Salonga,
Senate President and Ramon Mitra, Speaker of the House of Representatives Local
government was also returned to democracy. On January 18, 1988, the people voted
for new governors, mayors, and councilors. On March 28, 1989, the new barangay
officials were also elected. Achievements of the Aquino Government There were many
problems during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. But overall, these
were her administration's most notable achievement. 1. The return of democracy,
freedom, and justice in the Philippines; 2. Partial recovery of the big sums of money
stolen by Marcos and some members of his family and some cronies (friends or
business associates); 3. Stability of the government despite six successive military
coups led by loyalist forces of Marcos, reformist soldiers of Col. Gregorio "Gringo"
Honasan, and separatist Mindanao hero Col. Alexander Noble; 4. Easier credit terms
and better conditions for repayment of the huge debt of the Philippines with foreign
creditors and international banks; 5. Pushed back the communist New People's Army
(NPA) rebels and the arrest of many top communist leaders; 6. Passed the best
agrarian reform ever made in the country; 7. Improved the image of the Philippines
abroad. Especially after the People Power Revolution, Filipinos could once again say, "I
am proud to be a Filipino!" 8. Mobilized national and international aid for the victims of
various calamities which hit the Philippines, especially in 1990-91. These natural
calamities included the Baguio and Central Luzon earthquake of July 16, 1990; typhoon
"Ruping" in November 1990; the eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo in Central Luzon in June
1991; and the great floods of Ormoc after typhoon "Uring" in November 6, 1991.
Lessons from the Past Our study of the "People Power Revolution" and the return of
democracy in the Philippines teaches us the following lessons: 1. A government official
should listen to the voice of the people whom he (or she) serves because no dictator
will last forever. 2. The "People Power Revolution" on February 22 to 25, 1986 was
successful because it was united, peaceful, and full of prayers by Christians. 3. Filipino
became closer to the Lord after many natural calamities, economic problems, the poor
performance of the government in delivering basic services to the people, and the
departure of the American military bases in 1991-92. Many Christians became strong in
the Lord and learned how to endure His discipline like good children. In conclusion, The
People Power Revolution remains a testament to the power of collective action and the
resilience of the Filipino people. It highlights the importance of civil society and the role
of ordinary citizens in shaping their country's future. As the Philippines continues to
navigate its political landscape, the lessons from the EDSA Revolution serve as a
reminder of the enduring struggle for democracy and the necessity of vigilance in
protecting it.