Celebrating 40 years of EDSA Revolution

Antonio Eugenio

FEBRUARY 25, 2026

    

Demonstrators marching down EDSA in protest to Marcos’s regime in 1986.

Photo from Inquirer.

Anticipating the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, leaders from the Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and 80 other youth movements have organized a rally at the historic site of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, known to the world as the peaceful revolution that ousted a dictator.

On February 25, 2026, the groups will demand immediate political and electoral reforms to address the systemic corruption and ongoing crises facing the country.

Forty years ago, the world watched as a four-day stretch of road in Metro Manila became the birthplace of modern non-violent revolution. From February 22 to 25, 1986, the EDSA People Power Revolution saw millions of Filipinos unite in civil resistance against regime violence and systemic electoral fraud.

The peaceful uprising ultimately resulted in the exile of Ferdinand Marcos to Hawaii, ending a 20-year dictatorship and restoring democratic institutions in the Philippines.

The seeds of the revolution were sown decades earlier. In 1972, unable to run for a third presidential term, Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081. This declared Martial Law, a move justified by the administration through the civil unrest following the 1969 balance of payments crisis.

Under emergency powers granted by a controversial 1973 referendum, Marcos gained total control of the military. This era was marked by the dissolution of Congress, the shutdown of critical media outlets, and the systematic suppression of free speech. High-profile political opponents, including Senate President Jovito Salonga and Senators Jose W. Diokno and Ninoy Aquino, were among the first to be arrested.

The turning point for the nation occurred on August 21, 1983. After three years of exile in the United States, Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines, only to be assassinated on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport. The brazen murder stunned the nation and decimated what remained of the public’s trust in the government.

In the wake of the assassination, civil disobedience grew. Coalitions like KAAKBAY, led by Diokno, and movements led by Butz Aquino galvanized the masses. Under international pressure, Marcos eventually called for a "snap election" on February 7, 1986, to validate his leadership.

The election was marred by widespread violence and tampering. In a historic act of defiance, 30 COMELEC computer technicians walked out to protest the manipulation of results favoring the incumbent. Despite Marcos being proclaimed the winner on February 15, the opposition and the Filipino people rejected the results, declaring Corazon "Cory" Aquino the rightful victor.

The final collapse of the regime began when Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos withdrew their support from Marcos. They holed up in Camp Aguinaldo, prompting a call for the public to protect them.

In an unprecedented show of "People Power," civilians faced tanks with rosaries and flowers. Following a series of military defections, Cory Aquino was sworn in as President on February 25, 1986. By the following day, the Marcos family had fled for Hawaii, marking the end of a 21-year regime.

Forty years later, the spirit of the peaceful revolution remains relevant as citizens continue to demand accountability and an end to systemic corruption, most recently highlighted by the ongoing flood control scandals. 

To mark this milestone, the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution will be held at the People Power Monument starting at 3:00 p.m. As the day has not been declared a non-working holiday, organizers have opted not to hold a march along EDSA to avoid aggravating the city's already heavy traffic. 

Those planning to attend are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, such as the MRT-3, to reach the venue. Commuters should expect significant congestion in the area throughout the afternoon.