MASADA calls 1986 EDSA Revolt an 'abandoned fading spirit'

The now-defunct Marcos Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) declared on Sunday, 23 February, that the 1986 EDSA People Power revolt has become an "abandoned fading spirit" after the so-called "EDSA Heroes," led by former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, effectively ended their annual commemoration of the historic event that restored democracy in the country.

Benito Ranque made the remark during an aborted reenactment of the event after their "God Save the Philippines" rally was not allowed to hold activities at the People Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City.

“We were given a permit by the city government of Quezon, but police told us that they had designated the area, not the People Power Monument,” Ranque told the DAILY TRIBUNE in a telephone interview.

However, he said they were able to hold their peaceful rally away from the monument from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

“We invited EDSA heroes led by former senator Juan Ponce Enrile and former senator Gregorio Honasan through social media, but none of them responded or even issued a statement on the EDSA People Power revolt,” he said.

In the past, Enrile and the late former President Fidel Ramos attended the EDSA event, with Ramos famously repeating his “historic jump on the stage.” But now, Ranque described the EDSA People Power revolt as a fading spirit, abandoned by the “heroes” of democracy.

The group also appealed to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. not to heed his advisers to declare martial law to break what he called the “Tuesday February 25 curse” that ended the 20-year rule of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The Sunday rally marked the start of a three-day commemoration of the People Power revolution, beginning with the Sunday event, followed by a Monday rally by the Makabayan group, and the official celebration on the 25th by the EDSA People Power Commission, which also received permission from the Quezon City government.

The Sunday rally was originally named the Jericho Peace Rally but was later changed to "God Save the Philippines," which was the response of Vice President Sara Duterte to the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives to the Senate.

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

He also stated that the presence of Enrile and Honasan could ease the growing tension in the political landscape of the country, potentially preventing a repeat of history.

Ranque said they had invited religious and civic groups to join them in the symbolic reenactment of the EDSA revolution.

The gathering was initially planned as the Jericho March, which refers to a prayer walk by a group or congregation. The purpose is to pray for or against something and ask God to intercede, protect, or bring about change.

“The EDSA Jericho Peace Rally seeks God’s protection over our leaders, cities, or for revival to come,” Ranque said.

Ranque clarified that this was consistent with Vice President Sara Duterte’s call for a “No street rally” approach to allow 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 across the country, 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.