Palace: Simple Edsa celebration doesn’t mean less significance

Malacañang on Tuesday said the “simple and quiet” commemoration of the 31^st anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution on Feb. 24 does not mean that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is giving less significance to the historic peaceful uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

“Some people have been asking why the proposed program for the celebration of the 31^st anniversary of Edsa is rather sober simple and no fanfare. That’s probably in relation to what we have done last year during the Edsa 30^th anniversary, during the last year in office of former Pres. (Benigno) Noynoy Aquino,” senior deputy executive secretary Maynard Gueverra said in a press briefing.

“It does not indicate that the government is giving less significance to the celebration of 31^st anniversary. Just like any young lady who is celebrating her 18^th birthday with pomp, but when we celebrate her 19^th birthday, just because there is no celebration like her debut, we are giving it less significance,” he said.

Guevarra was speaking for Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who was tapped by President Duterte to lead the preparations for the 31^st anniversary of the Edsa revolt.

READ: Medialdea to lead preparations for Edsa rites

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella earlier said the low-key celebration was appropriate because “it’s time to move on from just celebrating the past and remembering the past.”

In spite of the simple commemoration, Guevarra maintained that the Duterte administration was “giving the same value and importance to this anniversary just like in the past.” The theme of this year’s commemoration is “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power for Nation Building.”

“It’s time to settle down, to quiet down a bit and think what has happened in the past 30 years. Do we still have that spirit within our hearts? That’s why we want to quiet down a bit… This simplicity does not mean in any way that we are giving less significance,” he added.

Guevarra also said the decision to tone down the commemoration of Edsa was not related to the President’s ties with the Marcoses and the burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“It’s more really of a time to reflect,” he said.

Asked about groups that will stage demonstrations, Guevarra added: “This is exactly the freedom that Edsa revolution wanted us to have. The government will definitely allow these activities to happen especially on the 25^th.”

The celebration will be held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, where Duterte is expected to give a keynote speech. CDG/rga

READ: Robredo: Edsa anniversary deserves ‘more dignified treatment’