Enrile, Honasan invited to 'EDSA God Save the Philippines' peace rally

The organizers God save the Philippines Rally on Sunday has invited the Former Senators Juan Ponces and Gregorio Honasan to attend the symbolic reinactment of the 1986 Edsa people power that ended the 20 year rule of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the country.

“EDSA heroes, led by Enrile and Honasan, were invited through social media to join the People Power Monument "God Save the Philippines" Peace Rally and share their insights on the gains of the People Power Revolution amid the economic and political challenges facing the country today,” said Benito Ranque, the event’s lead organizer.

He confirmed that all systems are go for the peace rally, which will take place from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM as permitted by the Quezon City government.

The Sunday rally marks the beginning of a three-day commemoration of the People Power Revolution. It will be followed by a Monday rally by the Makabayan group, and on 25 February, the EDSA People Power Commission will hold the official celebration. All three events have received permits from the Quezon City government.

Originally named the "Jericho Peace Rally," the event was later renamed "God Save the Philippines"—a phrase Vice President Sara Duterte used in response to the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives against her in the Senate.

“Participants will be praying for divine intervention against the pressing economic and political problems facing the country today,” Ranque said.

He added that the presence of Enrile and Honasan could help ease tensions in the country’s political landscape and prevent history from repeating itself.

Ranque also said that religious and civic groups have been invited to join the symbolic reenactment of the EDSA Revolution.

The gathering was initially planned as a "Jericho March," a form of prayer walk where a group or congregation prays for divine intervention to bring about protection, change, or revival.

Ranque explained that the EDSA Jericho Peace Rally seeks to invoke God’s protection over the country’s leaders and the Filipino people.

However, he clarified that the mass gathering aligns with Vice President Duterte’s call for “No street rallies” to allow volunteers to focus on their daily work despite the impeachment case in the Senate.

He also noted that while the Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) network has been reactivated nationwide, volunteers have been advised to focus on social media advocacy while continuing their daily tasks to cope with economic challenges, particularly at the grassroots level.

Ranque reminded President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to be mindful of what he calls the "February 25 Curse." The date, which falls on a Tuesday this year, marks the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution, which ended the 20-year rule of his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., shortly after his fourth presidential inauguration. Ranque, said 25 February this year falls on Tuesday and may have impact on what he call the full cycle of the Marcos sr and junior in their carrier.

“Will the destinies of the father and son repeat, or will the son survive the February 25 curse?” Ranque asked.

According to Ranque, historical records indicate that significant political upheavals have occurred on February 25 when it falls on a Tuesday. From Wikipedia, other events in this century that happened on Tuesday, 25 February:

• 1986 – The fourth inauguration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. took place at Malacañang Palace in Manila, marking the start of his final term before he was ousted.

• 1980 – The government of Suriname was overthrown in a military coup led by Dési Bouterse.

• 2009 – Bangladesh Rifles soldiers mutinied in Dhaka, resulting in 74 deaths, including 57 army officials.

• 1947 – The Soviet NKVD abducted Béla Kovács, secretary-general of the Independent Smallholders' Party, accelerating the Communist takeover of Hungary.

• 1948 – A coup d'état led by Klement Gottwald saw the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia seize power in Prague.

• 1943 – The Ben Yehuda Street bombings in Jerusalem killed 49 to 58 civilians and injured over 140 people.

• 1843 – Lord George Paulet occupied the Kingdom of Hawaii in the Paulet Affair.

• 1912 – Marie-Adélaïde became the first reigning Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

• 1916 – In World War I, German forces captured Fort Douaumont in the Battle of Verdun without resistance.

• 1918 – German forces occupied Tallinn, Estonia, effectively completing their conquest of the country.

• 1921 – The Georgian capital, Tbilisi, fell to invading Russian forces, leading to the establishment of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.