Downplaying People Power

The People Power Revolution of 1986 stands out as one of the most defining moments in Philippine history, a testament to the strength and unity of a people determined to reclaim democracy from a dictatorship.

The ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. through a bloodless uprising remains a symbol of the Filipino people’s resilience against tyranny. However, nearly four decades later, the commemoration of this historic event is being challenged under the presidency of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who has declared 25 February a “special working holiday” instead of a non-working holiday.

This move has sparked widespread criticism, with many seeing it as a blatant attempt to rewrite history and diminish the significance of the revolution that toppled his father’s regime.

In the Philippines, declaring a day a “special working holiday” means that work and school continue as usual, with no mandated day off for reflection or commemoration.

The decision to downgrade the People Power anniversary in this manner sends a clear message: the current administration does not see it as worthy of nationwide remembrance. This has raised concerns among critics who argue that it is a step toward historical revisionism, an effort to blur the narrative of the Marcos dictatorship’s excesses and the heroism of those who fought against it.

The timing of this declaration is particularly telling. Since assuming office in 2022, Marcos Jr. has carefully distanced himself from overtly addressing his father’s abuses while instead focusing on economic and infrastructure projects.

While he has occasionally acknowledged past events, his administration has been accused of subtly rehabilitating the image of the Marcos family, aided by misinformation campaigns on social media. By reducing the visibility of the People Power celebration, the government appears to be testing the waters of historical erasure.

One of the most crucial aspects of commemorating the People Power Revolution is the opportunity it provides for Filipinos — especially the younger generations — to reflect on the consequences of dictatorship, human rights abuses, and the importance of democracy.

By making the 25th of February a working holiday, the government effectively limits public discussions, gatherings, and activities that honor the spirit of the revolution.

For decades, schools and institutions have used the holiday to educate their students about the significance of the peaceful uprising, ensuring that the memory of those who fought against authoritarian rule remains alive. The downgrading of its status risks making the revolution just another footnote in history, rather than an event that continues to shape the nation’s democratic identity.

This move aligns with a broader trend of historical revisionism that has been creeping into the public discourse. The Marcos family’s return to power has emboldened attempts to sanitize the image of Martial Law, downplay its atrocities, and frame the Marcos era as a golden age.

The declaration of 25 February as a working holiday can be seen as part of this broader attempt to gradually erase the narrative of the dictatorship’s downfall and replace it with a more favorable retelling.

The battle over historical memory is not just about the past — it has serious implications for the future. A people who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. If the People Power Revolution is erased from the nation’s consciousness, it sets a dangerous precedent where past abuses can be ignored, and future abuses can be more easily justified.

By downplaying the People Power anniversary, the current administration risks deepening the divisions in society and weakening the nation’s collective memory.

For many Filipinos, the People Power Revolution was not just a political event — it was a defining moment of national unity. Reducing its importance is not merely a bureaucratic change; it is an affront to those who fought, suffered, and died to restore democracy.

If the government truly values history and democracy, it should ensure that the spirit of People Power is not just remembered but actively celebrated, lest the lessons of the past be lost to the ambitions of the present.