Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy urges Cebuanos to affix because the Individuals Energy Revolution stays a part of the Filipino ethical id
CEBU, Philippines – Cebu civic teams, identified for opposing authoritarian rule unveiled plans for the fortieth anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Individuals Energy rebellion, with church-led occasions highlighting the province’s anti-dictatorship id.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, in partnership with the Cebu provincial and Cebu Metropolis governments, is organizing the actions by Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon (SuPaKK), a coalition of church and civil society teams targeted on anti-corruption and civic participation.
Cebu’s anti-Marcos id is rooted in a long time of activism, stretching again to the Sixties. When Martial Regulation was declared in 1972, outstanding Cebuanos had been among the many first 70,000 political prisoners nationwide, together with students, labor leaders, and pupil activists. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Why Cebu is traditionally famend as anti-Marcos nation)
SuPaKK volunteer Brenette Abrenica stated the February 25 commemoration begins with a Holy Mass on the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Pilgrim Heart at 1:45 pm, adopted by synchronized tolling of church bells throughout all parishes at 3 pm.
“Since we’re commemorating 4 a long time, there will probably be [representatives of] 4 generations who will communicate. They’ll communicate briefly and straight, with a name to motion to encourage fellow Filipinos and Cebuanos to not neglect what occurred in 1986,” Abrenica stated throughout a press convention on the Archbishop’s Palace on Saturday, February 21.
Individuals will then march from the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño to Plaza Independencia for the “Panagtagbo” floral providing, with 1,000 rosaries and flowers ready for distribution. The commemoration will conclude with “Yukbo: Ang Konsiyerto,” that includes performances by a lineup of native musicians.
‘Reminiscence over forgetfulness’
Archdiocesan Chancellor Msgr. Renato Beltran learn a message from Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy, who urged Cebuanos to affix and highlighted three key causes to take part.
First, he stated, EDSA stays a part of the Filipino ethical id, “an ethical stand that confirmed the world Filipinos, guided by conscience, prayer, and unity, may reject dictatorship, corruption, and abuse of energy with out violence.”
“For Cebuanos, becoming a member of this anniversary is a approach of claiming: We nonetheless consider that what is correct is price standing for. We nonetheless consider that reality issues, integrity issues, and the dignity of each particular person issues,” stated Uy.
Second, he warned that freedoms restored by EDSA are nonetheless beneath pressure. “Forty years after EDSA, corruption and abuse of energy stay actual. Poverty persists. Belief in establishments is fragile,” he stated, reminding contributors that “freedom will not be automated” and that EDSA was “the start of a accountability” to guard democracy by each day actions.
Third, Uy emphasised the position of the following technology in preserving reminiscence and values. “Our youngsters and younger persons are studying from what we select to recollect — or neglect,” he stated. “If we don’t present them that EDSA nonetheless issues, they could develop up considering that corruption is regular, that abuse of energy is appropriate, and that silence is safer than braveness.”
He added that becoming a member of the actions is a approach to decide on “reminiscence over forgetfulness, braveness over indifference, and hope over cynicism.”
Strictly non-partisan
The coalition emphasised that the February 25 commemoration is strictly non-partisan. Which means that no public officers will take the stage.
Affiliation of Consecrated Males of Cebu president Fr. Jose “Saggy” Bagadiong stated seen political participation may create perceptions of partisanship and discourage broader public assist.
“When actions are interpreted as partisan, folks are inclined to withdraw, and the credibility of the trigger is affected. If we actually need to win as many individuals as potential to assist a noble trigger, we should keep away from political coloring,” Bagadiong stated.
Free Authorized Help Group (FLAG) president Jay Pujanes additionally clarified that the actions won’t embrace requires any public official to resign, stressing that the occasion is targeted on points relatively than personalities.
Pujanes stated repeated calls for for particular officers to step down are inclined to create division and shift consideration away from broader structural issues. He described it as problematic when public discourse instantly turns to resignation calls at any time when allegations of corruption come up, as this will encourage shortcuts as a substitute of permitting correct authorized and institutional processes to take their course.
“We need to educate the folks to be accountable in voting as a result of their votes have penalties. Dili naman pwede shortcut lang. Maanad na lang ta nga okay ra mga mobotar ta with out considering nga corrupt ba or not as a result of in a approach, in a while pwede ra man nato paresignon,” stated Pujanes.
(We must always not get used to voting with out excited about whether or not a candidate is corrupt or not, assuming that we will merely ask them to resign later.) – Rappler.com
Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science pupil at Cebu Regular College and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.
