With the 38th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution just days away, the grandson of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino said it is both saddening and worrisome that the February 25 commemoration is no longer considered as a holiday.
 
Malacañang previously said that February 25 is not a holiday since it falls on a Sunday.
 
This is puzzling for Francis Joseph “Kiko” Aquino Dee, deputy executive director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, since the Marcos administration declared the Chinese New Year, which fell on a Saturday, as a holiday.
 
“Why not EDSA also?” Dee asked. “Siguro very special siya sa 'kin dahil apo nga ako nina Ninoy at Cory pero even just, growing up kapag tinatanong ako bakit ako proud na maging Pilipino, parang EDSA is a very big part of that. Na parang nakamit natin ‘yung totoong pagbabago, we were able to end almost a decade and a half of dictatorial rule through peaceful means. Saan ka pa nakakita ng ganyan, diba? And we were an inspiration to the world.”

• Bill seeks to declare EDSA People Power Revolution anniversary a holiday

"Parang, you’re turning your back on something na totoong legacy ng Pilipino, na we can achieve change through peaceful means. There doesn’t have to be bloodshed. There hasn’t have to be violence to achieve what the people wants. Kaya nakakalungkot talaga at nakababahala na ‘yun ‘yung binubura, kumbaga parang sinasantabi siya,” Dee added.

But Dee did not want to speculate on why the President did not declare it a holiday.

Dee said, “I don’t want to assume the motivation behind things.”
 
Despite February 25 not being a holiday, various organizations such as the Buhay ang EDSA Campaign Network, of which the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation is a part of, will mark the anniversary.

• Protesters mark People Power Revolution anniversary

Aside from minor events leading up to the day, there will be a National Day of Prayer and Action at 9 a.m. on February 23 at the EDSA Shrine.
 
Three events will be held on February 25—a freedom ride in Ayala Avenue in the morning, a commemoration of former President Cory’s swearing in at Club Filipino at 10am, and a concert at the People Power Monument at 7 p.m.
 
Dee is aware that many may no longer be interested to mark the historic day, especially the youth, which is why he emphasized the important role that EDSA People Power continues to play in making the Filipino identity.
 
“Mahalaga na may pagkakakilanlan tayo na puwede nating iharap sa ibang mga bansa. At least for me I feel strongly na isang napakalaking parte nun ‘yung parang pagiging bastion of democracy natin in Asia na parang we were one of the first countries to democratize. Nakaranas tayo ng dictatorship and we were able to overturn that dictatorship on our own…it’s such a badge of honor if you were to go to a different country,” Dee said.
 
“EDSA is an example na tayo bilang mga Pillipino, we have the capacity to do really great things,” he added.
 
NO TO CHA-CHA 
 
One of the pressing issues expected to be talked about during the anniversary is charter change, something Dee is strongly against.
 
“It seems very untransparent,” he noted.

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“Sinasabi ng mga tao ngayon na economic provisions lang ‘yung gusto nilang galawin pero kung ‘yun talaga yung intent, e 'di bakit hindi ‘yung specific changes sa economic provisions ‘yung hinarap nila nung People’s Initiative? Instead, ‘yung ginawa nila was nilagay nila ‘yung voting jointly,” he stated.
 
According to Dee, there were also many unanswered questions regarding the people’s initiative such as the manner of gathering signatures.
 
He also doubts there is a need to change the Constitution even if it will be just limited to economic provisions.
 
“Parating sinasabi is we need foreign investment. Pero parang the consistent thing that attracts foreign investment is stable rule of law and reduction of red tape and anti-corruption. And example nun is panahon ni PNoy (President Noynoy Aquino) parang we received investment grade credit ratings from all of these different ratings agencies without even having to touch the Charter,” Dee pointed out.