SEVERAL progressive youth organizations from Mindanao, under the banners of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Mindanao and Makabayang Koalisyon-Southern Mindanao, have expressed that no significant systemic change has occurred in the Philippines since 1972 declaration of martial law. They said the abuses, political corruption, and human rights violations continue to persist in the administrations of Marcos and Duterte.
“We believe there has been no real systemic change because political dynasties, corruption, and violations against the people continue to persist,” said Rauf Sisay, Bayan Muna Southern Mindanao coordinator, speaking to the media during the peace rally marking the 39th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Freedom Park, Roxas Avenue, Davao City.
During the event, participants from Gabriela Youth, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao, Kabataan Partylist Southern Mindanao, and Gabriela Women's Partylist Southern Mindanao expressed their strong resistance to the ongoing political repression under the current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
They also called for accountability from the Duterte family over their alleged involvement in corruption and human rights violations that have “caused harm to the Filipino people.”
“We are here to hold the Marcos regime and the Duterte regime accountable for the abuses they have committed against the people,” Sisay said. “It is also important to hold Vice President Sara Duterte accountable for her involvement in the confidential funds, particularly those allocated for our education budget.”
Sisay also emphasized the need for an annual commemoration of the 1986 uprising to pass the movement's lessons on to younger generations, ensuring they understand the dark history created by Marcos Sr. and how it continues to shape the Philippine political landscape, especially under the current regime.
“Through our unity and people’s movement, the country can achieve genuine systemic change. We must also impart to younger generations the value and belief in the movement and the need for real social change,” he stressed.
Davao City Mayor Duterte statement on Edsa commemoration
Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte highlighted that the People Power was not merely a revolution, but a powerful demonstration of the Filipino people's united strength in demanding fair justice.
“People Power was more than just a revolution, it was a testament to the collective strength of the Filipino people in demanding truth, justice, and accountability. It is also a reminder that we must remain united against any form of oppression. Let us honor its legacy by ensuring that history is never distorted, our rights are never trampled upon, and our democracy remains intact for future generations. May the darkest times in our history never happen again,” a portion of his statement reads.
Edsa commemoration in Marcos Jr.’s administration
In November 2024, SunStar Davao interviewed Maria Jennifer Guste, convener of the Defend NGOs Alliance in the Philippines, about the current state of human rights in the country. She highlighted the dire situation, citing extrajudicial killings, attacks on journalists and political activists, and other abuses under the Marcos Jr. administration. Guste said the administration’s legal crackdown on leftist activist groups has further reduced the democratic space.
She also pointed out the government’s “red-tagging” of civic and grassroots organizations, labeling them as enemies of the state.
To recall, in the 2022 inaugural speech, President Marcos Jr. praised his father for accomplishing many things that had not been achieved since the country’s independence. He called for national unity, emphasizing that the nation would progress further by working together rather than against each other.
However, he refrained from addressing the human rights abuses and corruption his father was accused of, stating he would focus on the future, not the past.
Similarly, Sara Duterte, who ran alongside Marcos Jr. as his vice-presidential candidate and later became his political rival, echoed this stance.
The 1986 uprising, which resulted in the ousting of the Marcos dictatorship, was fueled by widespread public outrage over his regime's corruption, human rights abuses, and electoral fraud.
The revolution, which ultimately led to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines, was spearheaded by opposition figures that included former president Corazon Aquino, widow of assassinated opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., as well as civil society groups, church leaders, and ordinary Filipinos. DEF