President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration has been characterized by divisiveness and a harsh crackdown on dissent, called on Filipinos to unite for the sake of future generations as he commemorated the 35th anniversary of the bloodless revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines.
“Guided by the spirit of EDSA, let us set aside our differences and work together in building a legacy that we can proudly leave behind for future generations of Filipinos,” he said in a message on the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday, February 25.
He also called on Filipinos to “remain vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions, preserving our values, and upholding our rights as Filipinos.”
Yet critics and political analysts have pointed out how Duterte himself has become a threat to Philippine democracy, threatening government institutions meant to check his power, waging a spiteful crackdown on dissent, and undermining the 1987 Constitution itself.
Under Duterte, international watchdogs have observed a backslide in democracy. According to the Democracy Index 2017, Duterte has “led the way among Asian countries that are infringing democratic values.” It was also under Duterte that rule of law deteriorated significantly, according to the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index.
Malacañang, in response to such criticisms, would often cite Duterte’s high approval and performance ratings in local surveys despite a much-criticized pandemic response.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Duterte signed an anti-terrorism law that gives the government more leeway to arrest any individual or group deemed to be a “serious risk to public safety.”
It was also during the pandemic when the President’s allies in the House of Representatives managed to kill the franchise of media network ABS-CBN, dealing a harsh blow to press freedom and access to information in remote parts of the country.
While consistent in commemorating the EDSA Revolution, Duterte has nevertheless professed admiration for the leadership style of the late Ferdinand Marcos, the dictator that the historic 1986 revolt ousted.
Human rights groups, media, and political observers have said democratic freedoms have never been as under threat since the Marcos regime as it is under Duterte’s administration.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said on Wednesday he has no knowledge on whether or not Duterte will be joining any EDSA Revolution anniversary activity.
In past EDSA anniversary events during his presidency, Duterte never participated in any physical ceremony, preferring to send out commemorative messages through his communications staff. – Rappler.com
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