Mini-PETA

Position Paper (100 points)

Tracking back out Philippine History, do you think the 1986 EDSA revolution can

be considered a successful social movement? Defend your position and answer with

relevant and credible sources.

The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution is deemed to be a non-violent demonstration

of the social movement that ousted an all-powerful, autocratic leader, former President Ferdinand

Marcos. This movement was one of the most crucial events that took place in the history of the

Philippines which also shook and gained sympathy from different countries as Filipinos fought

for democracy; for their freedom and liberty.

The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was triggered because of the suspected, but

yet evident, tyranny, corruption, kleptocracy, and authoritarian rule of the Filipino Dictator

Ferdinand Marcos following the assassination of Senator Benigna Aquino Jr. The Philippines’

press freedom at that time was heavily controlled by the government, the country’s streets are

plagued with terror because of abusive military activities, torture and extra-judicial death penalty

among civilians, especially journalists and opposing politicians, with the government’s hopes to

establish so-called “discipline” and “loyalty” to the administration. This wide protest has the

objective to overthrow the dictatorship as well as to reclaim the liberty of the people from the

shackles of the government’s “Iron Fist”. This event that transpired on the 25th of February 1986

greatly altered the course of the country’s history in which it has shown the whole world the

unparalleled resolve of the Filipino people when it comes to fighting for liberty and democracy

ending an era of suffering and starting a generation of hopeful individuals.

 Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore President Wee Kim Kee said

that the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was a moment to be proud of and the Filipino

people can take pride in overcoming a severe political recession in a way that does credit a

vibrant democracy. However, in every concept and in every action, there will always be a

disadvantage that will arise from its popularity. For the counterargument of this issue, some

apologists and conspiracy theorists argued that the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was

not a complete success or victory to be considered by the Filipino people. This is not a success

because the Filipino people overthrew a dictator and replaced him with a dynasty that up until

today is in power and will always be in power. The most evident weakness and downfall of the

revolution was that it was not really a revolutionary movement. Some believed that this was

plotted by the exiled dynastic families like the Aquinos to bring back their names in the spotlight

holding power and supremacy after the downfall of the Marcos. This social movement with the

nature of passive resistance was greatly backed up by the Catholic Church, and was said to be

one of those who benefited from the “victory” of overthrowing the political imbalance brought

by the Marcos. Foreign scholars believed that this was also the start of the Filipino people’s

embrace in the Oligarchic Democracy that will soon plague the government with corruption -

which is somehow seen in the Philippines’ current political arena.

Nevertheless, this paper stands for the fact that the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution

was a success because of what it brought to the Filipino people; their prosperity, freedom, and

liberty from “self-proclaimed Gods” and oppressors of democracy. Despite the presence of

Marcos, especially in the Presidential position of today’s administration, the success and victory

were all proclaimed by those who suffered in the times of dictatorship. This is because today’s

generation, embodied by the awoken consciousness and awareness of the youth in the country’s
history, there is no doubt that the image and the idea of liberty and freedom, with the courage to

fight those who will oppress, are carved in their very minds and hearts.

The Filipino People’s move to overthrow the tyrant with nonviolent social movement was

able to inspire other countries to do the same, just like how the German people acted and how

they cited the Filipinos as their inspiration on the fall of the Berlin Wall. Another evidence of

victory of the social movement is that Filipinos nowadays learned how to be vocal and politically

active individuals, not unlike those from the times of the regime; fearful and miserable.

In conclusion, this social movement will be an unforgettable victory for the rights and

liberty of the Filipino people. However, in its political perspective, it is not a victory because of

the ongoing presence of Marcos in today’s political arena. Nonetheless, whoever dares to stand

against the Filipino people’s freedom and rights will be taken down, not only by exile but with

complete ban on participation.

“Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana

References:

30th Anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution | GOVPH. (n.d.). Official

Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/edsa/

Cullen, S. (2016, February 26). The success and failure of the EDSA Revolution. ucanews.com.

https://www.ucanews.com/news/the-success-and-failure-of-the-edsa-revolution/75335

Dictatorship to Democracy: The Ramon Magsaysay Awardees’ Contribution to the 1986

People Power Revolution. (n.d.). The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation - Honoring

Greatness of Spirit and Transformative Leadership in Asia.

https://www.rmaward.asia/news-and-events/dictatorship-democracy-ramon-magsaysay-

awardees-contribution-1986-people-power-revolution

McGeown, B. K. (2011, February 25). People Power at 25: Long road to Philippine

democracy. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-12567320

Quinsaat, S. (n.d.). People Power Revolution –. Mobilizing Ideas.

https://mobilizingideas.wordpress.com/tag/people-power-revolution/

Ross, J. (2020, October 28). People Power and the Philippines after 25 years. Human

Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/02/22/people-power-and-philippines-

after-25-years

Tomacruz, S. (2022, February 24). In 1986, the Philippines’ People Power was the

world's bright spot. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/people-power-

philippines-world-bright-spot-1986/