EDSA40 protest seeks to revive people power against corruption

By Dulce Amor Rodriguez

“Whatever your political color, let us unite at Edsa against poverty and corruption. All those involved must be held accountable.”

MANILA — Forty years ago, millions of Filipinos filled Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and forced the ouster of a dictator accused of plunder and repression. This February 25, 2026 a broad coalition of progressive groups plans to return to the same highway, arguing that the corruption and poverty that fueled the 1986 uprising remain entrenched in Philippine politics.

Organizers of the EDSA40 mobilization laid out their plans during a press conference in Quezon City, Wednesday, framing the anniversary not as a ceremonial remembrance but as a political intervention. They said the main protest will take place at EDSA Ortigas from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with sectoral groups mounting parallel actions nationwide.

The coalition described the mobilization as a continuation of the September 21 and November 30 protests last year, when thousands marched against corruption controversies involving top officials. This time, organizers said they will widen the focus: from individual scandals to what they described as a system sustained by political dynasties, weak accountability mechanisms, and elite rule.

Four decades after EDSA

Ka Leody de Guzman said the promises of the 1986 uprising remain unfulfilled for workers, farmers, and the urban poor.

“After 40 years of EDSA People Power, instead of improving, the situation of the people has become worse than before,” he said, arguing that Filipinos cannot rely on officials to police themselves. He said corruption persists because political dynasties continue to dominate the government.

Sonny Melencio of Partido Lakas ng Masa supported that claim. He said political families occupy a large majority of elective posts—from Congress to local governments—and warned that democratic space shrinks when power circulates within a few clans.

“If we do not act, we will be left with a government dominated entirely by dynasties,” he said.

Speakers repeatedly returned to the constitutional principle that sovereignty resides in the people. Alfredo Ampuan of Lawyers Against Corruption cited Article II, Section 1 and Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, which define public office as a public trust and require officials to remain accountable at all times.

“We are more powerful than government officials because sovereignty resides in the people,” he said, adding that their group aims to educate citizens about these provisions as part of the mobilization.

Youth push back

Youth leaders framed their participation as both historical continuity and present necessity.

JP Asuzano of the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral said students confront budget shortages and rising costs in state universities. He linked these conditions to broader corruption issues and the dismissal of impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Young people will not hesitate to act again to remove corrupt officials in this country,” he said.

Tiffany Brillante of Youth Rage Against Corruption said more than six youth activists have received subpoenas and now face charges filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after joining anti-corruption protests.

“We strongly assert that fighting corruption is not a crime and is certainly not seditious,” she said.

Joaquin Buenaflor of the University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council said critics often dismiss young protesters for not having lived through martial law. He rejected that argument.

“We may not have experienced it, but we know what is happening now,” he said. “We know that no one from the top has been held accountable.”

Corruption and daily survival

Speakers from other sectors connected corruption to everyday hardship.

Anika Yasay of the Philippine Nursing Student Association said underfunded hospitals reflect systemic failure. She described facilities lacking beds, medicines, and equipment, while healthcare workers remain overworked and underpaid.

Joel Saballa of Seniors Kontra Kurakot said many elderly Filipinos receive only P1,000 ($17.80) a month in social pension. Others receive none due to alleged budget shortages. He contrasted that with what he described as “millions of pesos” lost to corruption.

“It is infuriating to hear there is no budget for pensions while officials steal public funds,” he said.

Niña Fegi of Panatang Luntian said corruption also damages the environment. She cited mining operations in Dupax del Norte and the Sierra Madre, arguing that plunder of public funds and exploitation of natural resources operate in tandem.

“For us, fighting corruption is also protecting the environment,” she said.

Naming power

Some speakers directly invoked the current administration. Luke Espiritu of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino said it is ironic that 40 years after the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., critics hesitate to explicitly name alleged corruption under President Marcos Jr.

“Everyone must be held accountable,” he said. “Never again should not become ‘never against Bongbong Marcos.’”

Aaron Pedrosa of Sanlakas warned that public frustration can escalate if officials fail to respond to corruption allegations. He said the anniversary serves as a reminder of how collective action reshaped the country’s political landscape in 1986.

Beyond commemoration

Bayan Chairperson and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said the coalition seeks to unite Filipinos across political lines. “It’s not about looking back, but moving forward,” he said. “Whatever your political color, let us unite at Edsa against poverty and corruption. All those involved must be held accountable.”

Bishop Gerardo Alminaza recalled that the 1986 uprising drew people from different backgrounds into a shared demand for change.

“At Edsa, ordinary Filipinos stood side by side,” he said.

Organizers said they expect workers, youth groups, church leaders, professionals, and community formations to join the February 25 mobilization. For the EDSA40 coalition, the anniversary underscores a central claim: four decades after people power, corruption and poverty persist, and accountability remains a demand that citizens must still assert in the streets. (RVO)

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