EDSA part of history - Palace

Peaceful celebration marred by breaching of police barricade

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, HANNAH NICOL, and ALLYSA NIEVERA

TEMPERED RAGE – Members of the Trillion March Movement and other civil society groups gather at the People Power Monument in Quezon City (topmost photo) on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, to mark the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted former president Ferdinand E. Marcos. Above, a huge throng of protesters make their way to the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, calling for accountability of public officials allegedly involved in corruption. (John Louie Abriña/ Santi San Juan)

(John Louie Abriña Santi San Juan)

The EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986 remains an integral part of Philippine history and “cannot be erased,” Malacañang said on Wednesday, Feb. 25, even as it has yet to issue an official statement for the event’s 40th anniversary.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said no formal statement had yet been released.

“Maybe later, I can give you an update regarding that, but so far no information has been released on the matter,” she said.

Asked about the significance of EDSA from the Palace’s perspective, Castro stressed its place in history.

“It’s part of history, what happened then cannot be erased,” she said. “The courage of the Filipinos, the acceptance of what happened, cannot be erased from history.”

Breaching of barricade mars peaceful celebration

Tension gripped the EDSA People Power celebration when protesters breached a police barricade on Epifanio delos Santos Avenue.

Rallyists coming from the EDSA-Ortigas area made their way toward the EDSA Shrine for the “EDSA 40: Tuloy ang Laban sa Korapsyon at Kahirapan” mobilization.

This prompted police to install barricades on the southbound lane of EDSA to stop the group from proceeding.