EDSA at 40: Bishops Warn 'Moral Fatigue' Is the New Enemy as Trillion Peso March Gears Up for Feb 25
As the Philippines prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines is sounding the alarm: the biggest threat to Filipino democracy today isn't historical distortion — it's "moral fatigue." Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, CBCP president, delivered the warning during a Novena Mass at the EDSA Shrine.
"We cannot be content with remembrance alone; we are called to be a prophetic voice — not comfortable, not silent, but faithful," Garcera said in his homily. The archbishop reminded the faithful that EDSA wasn't just a political event — it was a deeply spiritual one, powered by prayer, rosaries, hymns, and the moral courage of ordinary Filipinos who stood before tanks unarmed.
Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for what promises to be a massive turnout on February 25. The "Trillion Peso March Part 2" — an anti-corruption protest movement — has timed its second major mobilization to coincide with the EDSA anniversary. The MMDA, PNP, and local agencies have already met to coordinate traffic flow, security measures, and crowd management along EDSA.
Workers also held a "Black Friday" protest on February 20, demanding accountability from corrupt officials and higher wages. The protest is part of a series of activities leading up to the 40th anniversary celebration. Schools across the country have announced class suspensions on February 25 to allow students and faculty to participate in the commemoration.
Forty years after millions of Filipinos toppled the Marcos dictatorship through peaceful protest, the question remains: has the spirit of People Power survived? With corruption scandals, flood management irregularities, and growing public anger fueling new protests, this year's EDSA anniversary feels less like a celebration and more like a rallying cry for a nation that's tired — pero hindi pa sumusuko.
Source: The Manila Times
