How EDSA uprising kicked-off political careers

The EDSA People Power Revolution in the Philippines brought several personalities onto the path of fame and politics. Topping the list is Vice President Jejomar Binay who started out as a human rights lawyer and was later appointed officer-in-charge of Makati City. Binay owes his political break to the mother of the man whose administration he now attacks. Running for president, his running mate is Senator Gringo Honasan, who played a pivotal role in toppling the dictatorship of the late Ferdinand Marcos. The tough-talking mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo Duterte, began his foray into politics post-EDSA, when he was appointed officer-in-charge vice mayor of the city from 1986 to 1988. The late interior secretary Jesse Robredo did not owe his political break to a post-EDSA appointment, but the desire for reform triggered by that historic uprising set the wheels in motion for Robredo’s entry into politics – and that of his widow, Leni, who is now running for vice president. Others in the list: Senate President Franklin Drilon, Former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim now running for mayor of the city of Manila.

Read more on political figures from EDSA days