WITH GRATITUDE
[PHOTO - POWER TO THE PEOPLE The towering
monument at the corner of Temple Drive and Edsa in Quezon City is in the
spotlight again as the Philippines celebrates the 26th anniversary of the Edsa
People Power Revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. A word of
advice for motorists: Stay away from this area on Friday, Feb. 24, as it will be
the center of the start of the celebration on Feb. 25 . JIM
GUIAO PUNZALAN]
MANILA,
FEBRUARY 25, 2012 (INQUIRER) By
Jocelyn R. Uy, Norman Bordadora -
Catholic Church leaders have urged the people to mark the celebration of the
26th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution on Saturday with gratitude
to God for attaining freedom through "bloodless" means, but warned those using
the event for personal motives and interests.
"Now, people can always use the celebration for their own motives … but I
hope as a people, it's about time that we think about what it could bring in
terms of the common good, development and giving people hope," said Cebu
Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP).
"When we look back and rejoice that we have won freedom without bloodshed, we
should thank the Lord," Palma said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas
on Wednesday.
[PHOTO -1986 EDSA 1 REVOLUTION]
The 26th Edsa Revolution anniversary comes at a time when the nation is
divided over the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona for
betrayal of public trust, improper disclosures in his statements of assets,
liabilities and net worth (SALNs) and other charges.
Corona and President Benigno Aquino III have also been engaged in an ugly
word war, using public forums as venues. The exchange prompted senators and
bishops to call on the two leaders of coequal branches of government to exercise
prudence and proper decorum.
Edsa activities, theme
The Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC), chaired by Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa Jr., has come up with a series of activities for the celebration
in Metro Manila, Trece Martires City, Iligan City and Batangas province on
February 25.
Its theme, "Edsa 26: Anong Taya Mo Para Sa Pilipinas Natin?" is a call to
action for all Filipinos to participate in nation-building while the activities
will highlight the spirit of volunteerism and bayanihan.
[PHOTO - FORMER PRESIDENT CORY AQUINO AT EDSA 1]
The President will lead the flag-raising rites at the People Power Monument
and the traditional "Salubungan" on Edsa. Expected to join him are Vice
President Jejomar Binay, former President Fidel Ramos, Ochoa, Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, Metro Manila mayors and
EPPC commissioners.
In the afternoon, Mr. Aquino will be in Trece Martires to turn over 21,000
houses to soldiers. According to the EPPC, this event is symbolic of the
partnership of the military and civilians during the Edsa Revolution.
God's will
[PHOTO = REMEMBERING EDSA 1]
Archbishop Palma said Edsa showed the Filipinos' obedience to God's will and
perseverance to become united.
But he lamented that while the country was able to topple a dictatorship and
achieve freedom, the peaceful and nonviolent revolution, which other countries
tried to emulate, had yet to bear fruit 26 years after.
"Today, we are free as we claim, but that freedom has not yet resulted in a
better life," Palma said. "The challenge today is how do we use this freedom to
achieve greater blessings? How do we use this freedom to develop the country,
where people live in the most humane [condition]?"
"I would say [there should be] responsible use of such freedom," he added.
[PHOTO - PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III, FEB 2012]
In a recent speech commemorating the Edsa Revolution at La Consolacion
College in Manila, Mr. Aquino campaigned for the removal of Corona, saying:
"Would Juan de la Cruz allow himself to be left out in the process? Are we going
to allow only a few to decide for all of us?"
"The question in this trial is rather simple: Can we still trust Mr. Corona?"
the President said during the first of a series of events to mark the
anniversary of the civilian-backed military uprising.
For his part, Corona challenged the President to disclose his own SALN, bank
and purported psychological records of his mental capacity to govern.
LGU programs
[PHOTO - THE 'PEOPLE POWER' (EDSA 1) MONUMENT]
In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Ochoa issued Memorandum Circular No. 27,
ordering all government officials and employees to take part in the Edsa
anniversary activities.
The circular also directed all departments, agencies and instrumentalities of
the national government, including government corporations, and local government
units, to extend assistance to organizers of the program and activities.
Ochoa said he was encouraging them to conduct their own events, including
holding lectures, film showings and community services "and help make this
year's observance a success."
In Iligan City, more than 200 houses will be distributed to victims of
Tropical Storm "Sendong," which devastated Northern Mindanao on December 16 last
year.
Edsa Day in the city will be capped by a concert featuring popular artists,
led by Ogie Alcasid, and an EPPC commissioner, who volunteered to perform before
the evacuees and the relief aid volunteers.
[PHOTOS FROM GOOGLE]
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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