Edsa still relevant, says Alan Cayetano

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines—Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution was still as relevant today as it was three decades ago.

“This is because the problems 30 years ago are still here. For example, corruption—not just on pork barrel, smuggling, etc. It’s still a big problem,” said Cayetano, who was here to turn over financial aid to a jeepney drivers’ association.

The country celebrates Tuesday the 28th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution, a bloodless civilian-backed military uprising that ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos and forced him to leave the country to live in exile in Hawaii.

“Having said that, people power is also very much alive,” Cayetano said.

“In fact, the abolition of pork (Priority Development Assistance Fund) is testament to people power. Through the proactiveness of the media and through the organizers on social media, what they thought would never be accomplished was accomplished,” he added.

Cayetano said that in Tuesday’s celebration, people should remember two things. “We are still facing big problems and they won’t go away if nobody will fight. It will just be coming back, like corruption. And second, when people act in faith and act together, it can be done,” he said.

He said people power could be needed so cases would be filed against those who should be charged.

“Corruption is everywhere. It’s in every country. The difference is that in other countries, there is a resolution—those found guilty are jailed,” Cayetano said

“In our country, people do not see the wheels of justice moving. An example, there is the Ampatuan massacre. After four years, it’s still there,” he said.

But Cayetano said there were solutions. He said that during the administration of then President Fidel Ramos, there were special criminal courts, which conducted hearings continually from three to six months.—With a report from Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon

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