‘People Power’ 1 anniversary rites moved from Edsa to Malacañang

CATHOLIC nuns and supporters of the people’s revolt greet a soldier aboard a V-150 armored tank on Edsa in 1986. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After almost three decades of celebrating democracy, Malacañang is toning down the festivities of for the 28th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said that the celebration for the 2014 anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution would be held at the Malacañang grounds on Feb. 25.

He said that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, who heads the Edsa People Power Commission, was the one who decided the change of venues.

“Minding the situation of the people, and not to create a bigger problem on the traffic of Edsa, the celebrations would be conducted on the Malacañang grounds,” Coloma said Sunday on an radio interview.

Coloma added that the flag-raising and the “Salubong,” which is a tribute to the meeting of then Defense Minister, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief of Staff, General, and former president, Fidel V. Ramos between Camps Crame and Aguinaldo.

President Benigno Aquino III would hold a public meeting, under the theme “Kapit-bisig para sa Pagbangon,” to talk with representatives from different sectors.

“We are slowly taking away the center of the celebration from the people who stood up in 1986 in Edsa to the current generation of Filipinos who are now on the front against corruption,” Coloma said.

He said that the government is still working to improve the quality of life of Filipinos who are experiencing “unjust poor conditions.”

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