Cebu groups mark EDSA anniv with calls for accountability, reforms

Local

ACCOUNTABILITY, reforms, and historical remembrance were demanded when militant and progressive groups gathered on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Church and civic organizations held parallel observances under SuPaKK 2.0 (Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon), reflecting a broad commemoration across sectors.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Central Visayas chairperson Jaime Paglinawan said the anniversary recalls the mass mobilization of millions of Filipinos during the 1986 uprising, including Cebuanos who joined resistance efforts in communities, churches, schools, and workplaces.

He said that while EDSA represented a major victory against authoritarian rule, corruption and structural inequalities remain persistent issues.

The coalition pointed to continuing concerns such as landlessness among farmers, contractualization and low wages among workers, and underfunded public services.

It also criticized policies that it said restrict the right to assemble, including “no permit, no rally” rules and cases filed under Batasang Pambansa 880.

Enacted during the Marcos Sr. administration, BP 880 allows local authorities to regulate public assemblies and rallies, and critics say it has historically been used to harass and intimidate activists.

Paglinawan and Bayan-Central Visayas also called for accountability from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte over what they described as mismanagement and questionable use of public funds, including concerns involving flood control projects and confidential and intelligence funds.

Paglinawan said about 250 BAYAN members joined the church-led SuPaKK 2.0 activities, clarifying that the figure covered only BAYAN participants and did not include other progressive or multisectoral groups.

Teodorico Navea of Partido Lakas ng Masa and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino said their groups aimed to mobilize 200 protesters.(MyTVCebu)