Edsa spirit still alive: Says PNOY

The spirit of the 1986 bloodless "People Power" revolt is still alive 25 years after, even as the government continues the struggle for good governance and the fight against corruption, said President Benigno Aquino III on Friday.

The President led Friday's commemoration of 25th anniversary of the four-day revolt that restored democracy and ended the 20-year iron fist rule of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Aquino said the revolt shows how Filipinos value unity despite challenges facing the country.

"This gathering is proof that the legacy of Edsa is alive in each one of us. I believe that instead of being divided, we can work towards unity. That instead of stealing, we can be true to our duties; and that instead of being afraid, we can trust our government," Aquino said at the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City.

Aquino said the revolt raised hopes that democracy would also bring prosperity and a government that would safeguard the people's money, but said that did not happen in the decade under his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"There were some who betrayed the public trust and raided government coffers," he said. "With good governance to fight corruption, we can free our people from poverty."

Arroyo held power for nine years, surviving several coup attempts by disgruntled military officers and impeachment bids by the opposition, who accused her of corruption, election fraud and human rights abuses. She has denied the charges.

Aquino is the son of the country's two democracy icons. His mother, Corazon Aquino, claimed victory against Marcos in the fraud-marred elections two weeks before the revolt, and was installed as his successor. His father and Marcos' archrival, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, was assassinated by soldiers in 1983.

President Aquino said the government is implementing reform measures to get rid of graft and corruption and regain the trust of the public to the administration.

One reform he underscored in his speech is how the government is helping common soldiers and police officers by building 20,000 housing units for them.

"This year, we will build 20,000 housing units for our soldiers and policemen by providing them very low housing prices, which is very much lower than what they are currently paying to rent dwellings that they do not own," the President said.

Celebration -- Aquino kicked off the celebration Friday by attending a flag-raising ceremony in White Plains Avenue along Edsa.

The President arrived around 7:30 a.m. and was welcomed by several officials led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, and the commissioners of the Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC).

Also present were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief Ricardo David, and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. About 17 mayors attended the event led by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Former President Fidel Ramos also attended the event. Upon Aquino's arrival, he was given full military honors with 21 gun salute.

A slight slip-up took place when the national anthem was sung before the President was able to raise the flag. Young singer Mauna Kea Chan then sang the national anthem again.

The flag-raising was followed by the "Panunumpa sa Watawat" (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine flag) led by representatives of different sectors.

Aquino then led the release of the Philippine flag balloons with inscription of this year's theme "Edsa 25: Pilipino Ako. Ako ang Lakas ng Pagbabago."

He was assisted by Binay, Ochoa, House Speaker Feleciano Belmonte and former President Ramos. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was a no show in the event.

The unveiling of the People Power Monument Marker by the President was followed.

Aquino was assisted by the National Historical Institute (NHI) Executive Director Ludovico Badoy and the EPPC commissioners.

An ecumenical prayer that represented various religious groups, Catholic, Protestant, Islam, Iglesia ni Cristo, and Buddhist was made.

Singer Freddie Aguilar then sang "Bayan Ko," which he popularized before and during the Edsa revolution.

A chopper showered with confetti and flowers at the Edsa Shrine.

Tribute to Cardinal Sin -- After White Plains, the President proceeded to Rizal Park to grace the wreath-laying at late President Corazon Aquino monument and the unveiling of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin's monument.

Hundreds of people composed of Manila residents, religious leaders, bishops, and students trooped to the famous park.

Prior to Aquino's arrival, a thanksgiving mass in honor of Sin, considered as one of the heroes of Edsa, was held.

Lingayen Archbishop Soc Villegas and Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales delivered thanksgiving remarks for the celebration.

In the event, Aquino noted the relevant role of Sin played during the Edsa People Power 1.

"Despite threats to his life and his people, the Catholic leader chose to devote his time and prayers to restore the peace and freedom to the country," he said.

After Rizal Park, Aquino went back to the area of Ortigas near White Plains for the unveiling of the historical site marker and jobs fair at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) building.

He had a video conference with three Overseas Filipino workers where he directly answered their job-related concerns.

The President skipped the boodle lunch held along Edsa. He then graced the "Salubungan" ceremony also held in Edsa Shrine.

Salubungan -- A festive mood blanketed the People Power Monument on Friday as the government challenged the youth to do small tokens of heroism in their daily lives.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Arts Ambassador and matinee idol Dingdong Dantes made the call before a crowd of young people, when proponents of the successful Edsa People Power revolt reenacted the "salubungan" -- a historic moment during the People Power revolt.

"Salubong" is a reenactment of what happened 25 years ago when then General Fidel Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile met with civilian protesters and joined forces after formally breaking off from the Marcos regime.

Around 2,000 soldiers, 1000 policemen, and two tanks participated in the march as civilians composed of priests and non-government organizations met them at the People Power monument along Edsa.

A lot of people wearing yellow witnessed the reenactment as a chopper showered yellow confetti to the cheering crowd. Yellow is the color of the People Power revolution.

"I sincerely hope that the youth will respond to the call of our times and put to action the President's inaugural theme, 'Panata sa Pagbabago'," Dantes said as President Aquino, cousin Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, and government officials listened.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles and government chief negotiator for National Democratic Front peace talks Alexander Padilla also took part in the convergence.

Signifying unity and light for a peaceful nation, Deles led a torch passing ceremony with a former communist rebel and representatives from the military and the youth.

The Philippine flag was also passed on from Ramos to a youth leader and 25 doves were set free.

Local government units and civil society organizations across the country likewise joined the Edsa commemoration through medical missions, tree planting activities, monitoring of smoke belchers, and other projects.

Also on Friday, budget carrier Cebu Pacific joined the revelry as it put on sale domestic travel tickets at P25 each from February 25 to 26. The travel period is from June 1 to September 30 this year.

The Gokongwei-led airline earlier had a P15 seat sale in observance of Aquino's inauguration as the country's 15th president in June 30 last year.

By Jill Beltran & Virgil Lopez