MARKING the 35th Edsa People Power Revolution Thursday, February 25, 2021, a labor leader has called on workers in Negros Occidental never to forget the struggle of the people during the historic event in the country more than three decades ago.
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said the workers must keep the flame of Edsa burning in their hearts and minds.
Sancho, also the labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas, said the spirit of Edsa symbolizes the solidarity of the people in toppling down a dictator.
He said it was a fulfillment of a dictum that sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
"It is the people that can make and unmake leaders," Sancho said, adding that for workers, it is the realization of their motto that "in union or unity, there is strength" and that strength is the collective will of the people as a result of their empowerment.
The labor leader said the People Power Revolution will be a constant reminder for all that "we shall never allow any dictator now or in the future to subjugate the people because we have the right to resist or refuse allegiance to a government when it becomes destructive of its end."
He said it will make corrupt politicians realize that in the final analysis, the people shall be the judge as manifested in the series of events during Edsa People Power Revolution.
"It was Edsa that has brought Filipinos into international recognition. We have the respect of other nations because of the bloodless revolution," Sancho said.
The Gawa official said Edsa is a living legacy for all the working class, along with a warning that oppression will not succeed when the people are determined to defend their freedom.
"There are no tyrants where there are no slaves," he said, adding that "let the flame of Edsa burn eternal because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom."
In a related development, some members of the Federation of Urban Poor along with other groups offered flowers at the monument of late senator Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. along Arneta Street in Bacolod City.
Also commemorating the 35th Edsa People Power Revolution, members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) - Negros staged a protest in front of the old city hall.
The progressive group called on the government to junk Terror Law, among other concerns like cash subsidies and vaccines in light of the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.