Palace hit for downplaying EDSA Day anniversary

Calling it "an obvious attempt to erase the victory of the people versus his father's dictatorship," former Bayan Muna representative and now senatorial candidate Teddy Casino yesterday said President Marcos downplayed the anniversary of the EDSA people power revolt by declaring it a mere "special working holiday."

- JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

Casiño, in a statement, said the EDSA people power revolts remains a testament to the power of ordinary people to hold their leaders accountable for their wrongdoing.

"Malacañang's move to downplay this historic event is part of a larger effort to rewrite history, hoping that our people eventually forget their sovereign power," he said.

"But whatever lies about history, the truth cannot be erased: People Power is alive and this is still the most effective way to defeat Marcos and Duterte in 2025," Casiño said, adding the spirit of EDSA should be continuous.

"We commend the schools who have rejected Marcos' order and declared Feb. 25 a holiday in their campuses. We support the efforts of various groups to come together in EDSA and other places on that day," he said.

Casiño urged everyone to participate in the various events commemorating this historical milestone to protect truth and democracy.

"Like what was done in 1986, we can defeat the abuse and corruption in this period. The power is still with the people," he said.

Catholic schools suspend classes Catholic schools near the historic protest grounds of the popular revolt have suspended classes on Feb. 25 to resist attempts of erasing the country's memory.

Schools under the EDSA-Ortigas (EDSOR) Consortium announced that they agreed to celebrate the 39th people power anniversary as a special non-working holiday despite Marcos' decision to make it a working day.

The EDSOR Consortium is composed of the Immaculate Conception Academy, La Salle Green Hills, Saint Pedro Poveda College and Xavier School - schools that witnessed the popular uprising unfold at their very gates.

"Our schools have agreed to celebrate this date as a special non-working holiday despite Malacañang's exclusion of this historical event," the EDSOR Consortium said.