Netizens respond to Marcos’s message of “reconciliation” as nation commemorates 37th anniversary of EDSA revolution
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called for reconciliation and unity on Saturday, February 25, as the nation marked the 37th anniversary of the “people power” revolution that toppled his dictator father.
In his message on the anniversary of the revolt that led to the ouster of his father and sent the entire family into exile, Marcos said:
“As we look back to a time in our history that divided the Filipino people, I am one with the nation in remembering those times of tribulation and how we came out of them united and stronger as a nation.
I once again offer my hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society — one that will pursue progress and peace and a better life for all Filipinos.”
Citing holiday economics, Marcos had declared February 24 a special non-working holiday, effectively moving the celebration of the People Power Revolution from February 25. Due to this, Malacañang clarified that February 25 was no longer a holiday.
Many netizens were unconvinced by the sincerity of Marcos, while others called out how the president’s message makes it appear that Marcoses were the aggrieved party and that the Filipinos were divided over the EDSA revolt, when in fact, it was an unprecedent show of national unity. Some netizens also suspect that the moving of the EDSA Revolution to February 24 was an attempt at erasure, or to dilute the importance of the momentous event in Philippine history.
