EDSA 40: KIKO CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, END TO NEPOTISM

MARKING the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday (Feb. 25) reflected on the power of collective action, saying that history has shown how what once seemed impossible can become reality when people unite for the common good.

“Nagiging posible ang imposible sa sama-samang pagkilos ng sari-saring sektor para sa kapakanan ng nakakarami (The impossible becomes possible in the collective action of various sectors for the good of the many),” Pangilinan said in a statement commemorating the 1986 uprising that ended two decades of authoritarian rule and restored democratic institutions in the Philippines.

Pangilinan, who was among the student activists who fought against the dictatorship and later chose to pursue reform through the electoral process, recalled how EDSA transformed the political landscape of the country.

“Naging posible ang imposible sa EDSA 40 years ago, nang matapos ang 20-year na one-man rule, at naibalik ang mga institusyon ng demokrasya tulad ng Senado at ng malayang pamamahayag (The impossible became possible in EDSA 40 years ago, when the 20-year one-man rule ended and returned the institutions of democracy like the Senate and free press),” he said.

He drew parallels between the historic revolt and his own political journey, noting how public support can defy expectations.

“Naging posible ang imposible noong halaan ng nakaraan taon nang lumundag ang ating ranking mula 17 hanggang 5 at napasama sa winning circle (The impossible became possible in last year’s election when our ranking jumped from 17 to 5 and we joined the winning circle),” Pangilinan said.

Invoking faith and collective effort, the senator added: “Sa awa ng Diyos at sa kilos ng tao, nangyari ang lahat ng ito at marami pang iba (By the grace of God and the work of man, all these and more happened).”

Looking ahead, Pangilinan expressed hope that the same spirit of unity could address longstanding economic and governance issues.

The senator added, “Sa awa ng Diyos at sa kilos ng tao, tataas ang kita ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at bababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Mananagot ang mga smuggler, hoarder, at mga kasabwat sa burukrasya. (By the grace of God and the work of man, the income of farmers and fishers will rise, and the food prices will fall. Smugglers, hoarders, and their accomplices in the bureaucracy will be accountable.)”

He also pointed to reforms in politics and governance, declaring that “Ending nepotism in politics will likewise become possible, and the corrupt will be held to account and will be put in jail. (Magiging posible rin na mawakasan ang nepotismo sa pulitika, at mapapanagot at makukulong na ang mga kurakot.)”

As the country commemorates 40 years since EDSA, Pangilinan emphasized that the revolution’s legacy lies not only in remembrance but in reforms.

“Magiging posible ang tila imposible sa sama-samang pagkilos ng iba’t ibang sektor para sa kapakanan ng pinakaaba at pinakamaliliit sa ating lipunan. (The impossible will once again become possible through the collective action of various sectors, for the sake of the least and the most vulnerable),” he said.