EDITORIAL
Power and accountability
On its 38 th anniversary, EDSA People Power Revolution may
be viewed by the present generation as an event in the past that
may have less significance to the kind of life that we enjoy now.
But to those who lived in a regime of government condemned by
many as abusive of its powers, EDSA will forever be an extremely
significant event that has changed the course of Philippine
history.
As immortalized in the case of Marcos v. Manglapus, in
February 1986, Ferdinand E. Marcos was deposed from the
presidency via the non-violent “people power” revolution and
forced into exile. In his stead, Corazon C. Aquino was declared
President of the Republic under a revolutionary government. The
ratification of the 1987 Constitution enshrined the victory of
“people power” and also clearly reinforced the constitutional
moorings of Mrs. Aquino’s presidency.
EDSA People Power is a living testament that sovereignty
resides in the people and all government authority emanates from
them. This is enshrined under Section 1, Article II of the 1987
Constitution.
While governmental powers are entrusted to our political
leaders and public officials and employees, they are always
accountable to the people.
What happened in EDSA is proof that all powers delegated
by the people must only be used for the common good.
The Constitution declares among the guiding principles that
“the prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the
people” and that “the maintenance of peace and order, the
protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the
general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people
of the blessings of democracy.”
Let this be the beacon for every Filipino as we celebrate this
important event in our history.
EDITORIAL
Power and accountability
On its 38 th anniversary, EDSA People Power Revolution may
be viewed by the present generation as an event in the past that
may have less significance to the kind of life that we enjoy now.
But to those who lived in a regime of government condemned by
many as abusive of its powers, EDSA will forever be an extremely
significant event that has changed the course of Philippine
history.
As immortalized in the case of Marcos v. Manglapus, in
February 1986, Ferdinand E. Marcos was deposed from the
presidency via the non-violent “people power” revolution and
forced into exile. In his stead, Corazon C. Aquino was declared
President of the Republic under a revolutionary government. The
ratification of the 1987 Constitution enshrined the victory of
“people power” and also clearly reinforced the constitutional
moorings of Mrs. Aquino’s presidency.
EDSA People Power is a living testament that sovereignty
resides in the people and all government authority emanates from
them. This is enshrined under Section 1, Article II of the 1987
Constitution.
While governmental powers are entrusted to our political
leaders and public officials and employees, they are always
accountable to the people.
What happened in EDSA is proof that all powers delegated
by the people must only be used for the common good.
The Constitution declares among the guiding principles that
“the prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the
people” and that “the maintenance of peace and order, the
protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the
general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people
of the blessings of democracy.”
Let this be the beacon for every Filipino as we celebrate this
important event in our history.