MANILA--As the country comemmorates the 33rd Anniversary of
the Edsa People Power Revolution on Monday, Vice President Leni Robredo slammed
criticisms of "yellow" trademark and partisan of political
affiliates on its uprising.
"EDSA is "not defined" by any political color
or specific group", said Robredo.
The "Yellow" trademark and the term
"dilawan" refer to members and local supporters of the Liberal Party,
which has used the color in its election campaigns since the administration of
former President Corazon Aquino, President Ferdinand Marcos' successor.
"Nangyari lang naman ang EDSA dahil nagkaisa ang mga
Pilipino," Robredo said.
During Naga City's commemoration rites for the 33rd
anniversary of EDSA uprising on Saturday led by the Vice President, she
explained that looking at EDSA Revolution as purely the work of
"yellows" was an insult to people who had no political affiliation
but still took part in the uprising.
"Dahil tingin ko kung ganito ang pagtingin natin,
insulto ito sa napakaraming mga Pilipino na wala naming political affiliations
nung 1986," she added.
While no one is being forced to attend the commemoration,
Robredo said that Filipinos must remember the value of democracy that the
People Power revolt taught the Filipinos lessons amid the dark and trying times
to have voice as an ordinary individual.
"Para sa akin, mahalaga na kino-commemorate siya para
hindi natin nakakalimutan yung lessons. At tingin ko pinakamahalagang lesson
dun, pagpapaalala na ang kapangyarihan ay nasa kamay ng ordinaryong
Pilipino," she added.
Meanwhile, no word yet whether Duterte will grace the event
of EDSA People Power revolution tomorrow as Presidential Spokesperson Salvador
Panelo said.
"Wala pang nababanggit, pero umattend ba siya noon?
Last time wala naman eh. Two years na siyang wala eh," Panelo said in his
regular media briefing in Malacañang."
In 2017, Duterte was also in Davao during the People Power
anniversary to lead a turnover of a drug rehabilitation center and the launch
of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
"Most likely, hindi rin siya aattend. Maraming trabaho
si Presidente eh. Kahapon nga eh, nagmamadali siyang tapusin, 30 minutes, kasi
meron siyang lakad, sipag," he added.
Duterte, who is an ally of the Marcos family, is opted to
not be present from the EDSA rites for the third straight year, as Panelo said.
Robredo in return, said that it is the president's choice
whether he will attend or skip the commemoration.
"Ito kasi choice niya (Duterte) naman. Wala namang
pinipilit mag-attend ng commemoration. Yung sa atin lang sana ma-break yung
misconception na 'yung EDSA ay mga dilawan," Robredo explained.
On the other hand, when asked if President Rodrigo Duterte
should skip the People Power Revolution event, former Senate President Juan
Ponce Enrile said that the fight against the Marcos regime had already ended.
“Sa aking pananaw tama yun, ang February 25, 1986, tapos na
yung labanan. Bumaba na ang Presidente ng Pilipinas at umalis na papunta nasa
Hawaii,” Enrile said on radio station DZIW.
The country on Monday will observe the 33rd anniversary of
the 1986 peaceful revolt that toppled the regime of the late dictator President
Ferdinand Marcos.
In line with the commemoration of the EDSA People Power
Revolution Anniversary, classes and offices are suspended, as Feb 25, 2019 is a
Special Non-Working Holiday in accordance to the Proclamation No. 555 signed by
President Duterte.
