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CONSTANTINO, Shoula Marie G. March 22, 2017

2J-Ph A/P R.D. Verdeflor

PEOPLE POWER 1986 (EDSA 1)

What is the role of Radio Veritas in People Power 1986?

Radio Veritas were the ones who broadcast the People Power Revolution. Also, since

televisions were banned during those days, they were the way to let other know what is

happening about our country.

The existence of Catholic radio in the Philippines is not surprising, given the population

profile. Some 61.8 million out of 76.3 million Filipinosabout 81 per cent are Roman

Catholic, according to the 2000 Philippine Census. This was even higher during the

1986 Edsa Revolution; Catholics comprised 50.2 million (around 83 per cent) of 60.5

million Filipinos (National Statistics Office, 1990).

Catholic radio programming includes Bible readings, discussions about Church

teachings and live coverage of mass. But Catholic radio also reports political

developments. During the Edsa Revolution, Church-owned Radio Veritasand later,

the clandestine radio station Radyo Bandido (Outlaw Radio) played a pivotal role

as an effective and reliable source of news and information. According to We Forum:

Only Radio Veritas was carrying a blow-by-blow account of the unfolding siege.
 Summarize the People Power Revolution

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless revolution

erupted, called EDSA People Powers Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked a

significant national event that has been engraved in the hearts and minds of every

Filipino. This part of Philippine history gives us a strong sense of pride especially that

other nations had attempted to emulate what we have shown the world of the true

power of democracy. The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by

its successful efforts to oust a tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence

and bloodshed. Prayers and rosaries strengthened by faith were the only weapons that

the Filipinos used to recover their freedom from President Ferdinand Marcoss iron

hands. The Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) stretches 54 kilometers, where the

peaceful demonstration was held on that fateful day. It was a day that gathered all

Filipinos in unity with courage and faith to prevail democracy in the country. It was the

power of the people, who assembled in EDSA, that restored the democratic Philippines,

ending the oppressive Marcos regime. Hence, it came to be known as the EDSA People

Powers Revolution.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos & Imelda Romualdez-MarcosThe revolution was a

result of the long oppressed freedom and the life threatening abuses executed by the

Marcos government to cite several events like human rights violation since the

tyrannical Martial Law Proclamation in 1972. Former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino,

Jr.In the years that followed Martial Law started the suppressive and abusive years
incidents of assassination were rampant, particularly those who opposed the

government, individuals and companies alike were subdued. The Filipinos reached the

height of their patience when former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Sr. was shot and

killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his return to the Philippines from exile in

the United States. Aquinos death marked the day that Filipinos learned to fight. His

grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinos and the world the

strength and courage to claim back the democracy that Ferdinand Marcos arrested for

his personal caprice. Considering the depressing economy of the country, Ninoys death

further intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos. In the efforts to win back his

popularity among the people, Marcos held a snap presidential election in February 7,

1986, where he was confronted with a strong and potent opposition, Corazon Aquino. It

was the most corrupt and deceitful election held in the Philippine history. There was an

evident trace of electoral fraud as the tally of votes were declared with discrepancy

between the official count by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and the count

of NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Elections). Such blatant corruption in that

election was the final straw of tolerance by the Filipinos of the Marcos regime. Former

Defense Minister Juan Ponce EnrileThe Fidel V. Ramosdemonstration started to break

in the cry for democracy and the demand to oust Marcos from his seat at Malacaang

Palace. The revolt commenced when Marcos' Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and

the Armed Forces Vice-Chief of Staff command of Fidel V. Ramos, both withdrew their

support from the government and called upon the resignation of then President Marcos.

They responsibly barricaded Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo and had their troops

ready to combat against possible armed attack organized by Marcos and his troops.
The Catholic Church represented by Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin along with the

priests and nuns called for the support of all Filipinos who believed in democracy.

Radyo Veritas aired the message of Cardinal Sin that summoned thousands of Filipinos

to march the street of EDSA. It was an empowering demonstration that aimed to

succeed peacefully with the intervention of faith. Nuns kneeled in front of tanks with

rosaries in their hands and uttering their prayers.

Former President Corazon Cojuangco-AquinoWith the power of prayers, the armed

marine troops under the command of Marcos withdrew from the site. Celebrities

expressed their support putting up a presentation to showcase the injustices and the

anomalies carried out by the Marcos administration. Finally, in the morning of February

25, 1986, Corazon Aquino took the presidential oath of office, administered by the

Supreme Court Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino located in San

Juan. Aquino was proclaimed as the 11th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

She was the first lady president of the country. People rejoiced over their victory proving

the success of the EDSA Peoples Power Revolution, the historic peaceful

demonstration. Although in 2001, there was an attempt to revive People Power in the

efforts to oust then President Joseph Estrada, it was not as strong as the glorifying

demonstration in 1986. The bloodless, People Power Revolution in EDSA renewed the

power of the people, strengthened the meaning of democracy and restored the

democratic institutions of government. Continue to the 5th Republic (1986) up to the

Present Time.
 What is the relevance of People Power Revolution to you?

I have a better mind set regarding the dictatorial government officials and that they can

be impeached by us, citizens of this country. People Power taught me to know what are

my rights.