EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION

In 1986, Filipinos gathered at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to protest President Ferdinand
Marcos and his claim that he had won re-election over Corazon Aquino. Furthermore, the
Filipinos used a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral
fraud to end the dictatorship by the nonviolent revolution to bring out the departure of
governments seen as entrenched and authoritarian without the use of threat and violence.
However, it is not easy to reclaim the democracy in our country, lots of people sacrificed their
lives just to reclaim our freedom by the hands of Ferdinand Marcos.

For two decades, Filipinos lived under authoritarian rule while Marcos and his allies enriched
themselves through ownership of Philippine press and industry outlets and through the
siphoning of funds from U.S., World Bank, and International Monetary Fund loans. And now it
did not change the reality that the country had a huge debt inherited from the Marcos regime.
Also, the unequal distribution of wealth amongst the rich and poor, and the peso sunk even
more during and at the end of the Aquino administration.

While the revolution successfully ousted President Ferdinand Marcos from power. However, the
EDSA Revolution is often considered a failed revolution due to several reasons. The Filipino
people say that it is way better than having to live a life under a dictatorship rule, because
nobody in their right mind would wish to live under such conditions.

However, the EDSA Revolution only changed the rule from authoritarian to democratic. But it
did not change the fact that the leader who replaced Ferdinand Marcos is still not good enough.
And suddenly, Aquino was criticized for the Mendiola Massacre, which resulted in the shooting
deaths of at least 12 peaceful protesters by Philippine state security forces.

In addition, Corazon Aquino set us free by replacing Ferdinand Marcos and changing the
authoritarian rule into Democracy. That is why Corazon Aquino is regarded as the Mother of
Democracy. Although, EDSA is associated with Cory but the event itself had nothing to do with
the Aquino's. In fact, the ultimate leading star of the revolt are the Filipino people.

Lastly, the only way to avoid the situation again is by voting wisely, so that our country will never
be in that position ever again. In this case vote the one who can be trusted, not only with the
National funds, but also to our beloved country, and to the Filipino people. Let's all protect our
freedom, peace, and our country.