Masada appeal to Marcos not to declare martial law to break 25 February curse

The convenor of the now-defunct Marcos Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) on Sunday appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. not to heed his advisers’ calls to declare martial law in an attempt to break what they called the “Tuesday 25 February curse” — the date that marked the end of his late father’s 20-year rule.

Benito Ranque, the lead convenor of MASADA, told the DAILY TRIBUNE that declaring martial law at this point would effectively erase the spirit of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution that restored democracy in the country.

“Never again to martial law, let the EDSA spirit flame, ” he said.

Ranque made the appeal as the organizers of the God Save the Philippines Rally on Sunday invited former Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan to attend a symbolic reenactment of the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, which ended the 20-year rule of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the country.

The group stated that EDSA heroes, led by Enrile and Honasan, were invited via social media to join the People Power Monument "God Bless the Philippines Peace Rally" to share their insights on the gains of the People Power revolution amid the economic and political challenges facing the country today.

Sunday’s rally signaled the start of a three-day commemoration of the People Power revolution—with a rally by the Makabayan group on Monday and an official celebration on 25 February by the EDSA People Power Commission, which received permission from the Quezon City government.

The Sunday rally was originally named the “Jericho Peace Rally” but was later renamed “God Save the Philippines,” in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s reaction to the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives in the Senate.

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

During the rally, he said he would remind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to be wary of what he called the “25 February curse” — which fell on a Tuesday, the same day that ended his late father’s 20-year rule in 1986 after his fourth inauguration on that date.

A calendar check shows that 25 February this year falls on a Tuesday—the same date and day as the 1986 People Power revolution, he noted.

Ranque told the DAILY TRIBUNE that, based on fact-checking, when 25 February falls on a Tuesday, significant events have occurred—such as the fourth inauguration of Ferdinand Marcos as the tenth president of the Philippines, which took place on Tuesday, 25 February 1986, at Malacañang Palace in Manila.

The inauguration marked the commencement of the fourth and final term of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as president.

He said that the presence of Enrile and Honasan might ease the tensions brewing in the country’s political landscape, which could otherwise trigger a repeat of history.

He also mentioned that religious and civic groups have been invited to join the symbolic reenactment of the EDSA revolution.

The gathering was originally planned as the “Jericho March,” a prayer walk by a group or congregation intended to pray for or against a cause and to ask God to intercede, protect, or effect change.

He stated that the EDSA Jericho Peace Rally seeks to ask for God’s protection over our leaders and cities, and to inspire a revival.

Ranque, however, clarified that this is consistent with Vice President Sara Duterte’s “no street rally” directive, which encourages volunteers to focus on their daily work despite the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives in the Senate.

He added that although the Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) network has been reactivated nationwide, volunteers have been advised to concentrate on social media and continue their daily tasks to cope with the current economic situation, particularly at the grassroots level.

Ranque reiterated that Marcos should be wary of what he called the “25 February curse,” which fell on a Tuesday and marked the end of his late father’s 20-year rule in 1986 after his fourth inauguration on that same date.

Ranque noted that 25 February falling on a Tuesday this year might impact what he calls the full political cycle of Marcos Sr. and Marcos Jr.

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

Based on his fact-checking, Ranque observed that when 25 February falls on a Tuesday, significant events have taken place—such as the fourth inauguration of Ferdinand Marcos as the tenth president of the Philippines on Tuesday, 25 February 1986, at Malacañang Palace in Manila, which marked the beginning of his fourth and final term.