By Robert B. Rooque, Jr.
Like a whimper from the past — that was all the worth this “Marcos 2” regime afforded the 39th anniversary of EDSA People Power last Tuesday.
That was, of course, sorely predictable from this President — son of the strongman ousted by that historic uprising — who has always treated this celebration of democracy and bloodless revolution as an inconvenience that will forever unsettle the Marcoses.
For this administration, the occasion must be ignored if not rewritten so as to be diminished in historical significance.
This disdain for EDSA, however, is something Vice President Sara Duterte had long demonstrated, too — even long before she hitched her political fortunes to Marcos Jr. in 2022.
Back in 2017, she openly dismissed EDSA as a non-event, questioning its significance beyond being a mere change of power. “I find it hard to understand why this bloodless revolution has become the standard definition of freedom for our country and this standard is forced down our throats by a certain group of individuals who think they are better than everyone else.” That’s how she pictured it.
Yet in 2024, as criticisms mounted over the Marcos administration’s continued whitewashing of history, she tried a feeble attempt at damage control. She issued a statement acknowledging the importance of EDSA, only to take it back shortly after — reverting to her 2017 dismissal and showing once again how politics of convenience can make her absolutely spineless.
And now, the irony of ironies — this year, it was her brother, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, who went on record recognizing the significance of EDSA. He called the uprising “relevant” and a reminder of “the people’s power and their ability to effect change.”
That should be a direct slap in the face to Marcos, the President, and a double slap to the cheek of her sister, the Vice President.
Buti pa si Baste, nagkaroon ng epiphany — kahit napakahirap namang paniwalaan. It’s clear that he is only speaking out because the Marcos camp has declared war on the Dutertes, twisting the knife on his sister, Sara.
To me, what’s clear is that both Sara Duterte and Bongbong Marcos must be held accountable — not just for their historical revisionism but for their utter failure to lead with integrity.
