A measure has been filed in the House of Representatives proposing that February 25 be recognized as a regular national holiday to mark the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.
ML Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima, who authored the bill, framed the proposal as more than a calendar adjustment. “Hindi lang po ito tungkol sa pagdedeklara ng isang petsa bilang holiday, kundi pagkikilala ito sa kabayanihan ng sambayanang Pilipino… This also seeks to memorialize the heroism, the sacrifices, and the suffering of the victims and the survivors of the martial law era,” she said. She also cautioned against “disinformation and historical revisionism.”
The proposed holiday commemorates the four-day uprising from February 22 to 25, 1986, when millions of Filipinos assembled along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Metro Manila. The demonstrations followed allegations of irregularities in a snap presidential election in which then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared victory over opposition candidate Corazon Aquino. A split within the military leadership and appeals from Church figures intensified public mobilization.
Participants filled the highway, confronting military units with nonviolent actions that included prayer vigils and the offering of food. The sustained civilian presence culminated in Marcos’ departure from the country on February 25, 1986, the same day Aquino took her oath as president.
The movement has since been widely regarded as a landmark episode in the country’s political history, associated with the restoration of democratic institutions after years of martial law.
Backing the legislative effort, Kiko Dee said, “I think EDSA is the reason I’m proud to be Filipino… commemorating it… would be a very big step in sharing that pride.”
