What were the 2016 presidential bets doing during the EDSA revolt?

MANILA, Philippines – The year 1986 was a significant year in Philippine politics, as it became witness to a big shift in the country’s leadership. The EDSA Revolution of that year resulted in the end of the decades-long regime of dictaror Ferdinand Marcos, and the start of the administration of Corazon Aquino.

After 30 years, the country commemorates the EDSA uprising and prepares to bid farewell to another Aquino president, as voters choose his replacement.

In 1986, where were the candidates now running for president in May 2016? What were they up to then?

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GRACE POE
born September 3, 1968
17 years old in February 1986

The youngest among the 2016 presidential candidates, Poe was only 17 years old when the EDSA Revolution happened. In that year, she graduated from Assumption High School and entered the University of the Philippines, Manila under the BA Development Studies program.

When she became of legal age almost 7 months after the historic event, she obtained a voter’s identification card in Greenhills, San Juan. The name indicated on the card, however, was different: Ma. Gracia S. Poe.

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MAR ROXAS
born May 13, 1957
28 years old in February 1986

Prior to the EDSA Revolution, Roxas – who was initially not inclined to politics – pursued a career as an investment banker in New York. Politics beckoned when he joined the presidential campaign of Corazon Aquino for the 1986 snap elections.

After Aquino successfully secured the presidency after the historic event, Roxas helped her reach out to the business community in the US in 1986.

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MIRIAM SANTIAGO
born June 15, 1945
40 years old in February 1986

In 1986, Santiago was on her third year as presiding judge of Branch 106 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Despite being appointed by then president Ferdinand Marcos, she was known to have helped release arrested anti-Marcos rallyists.

In the same year, she received two awards: The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Award for law from the Philippine Lions, and the Distinguised Achievement Award from the National Police Commission.

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RODRIGO DUTERTE
born March 28, 1945
40 years old in February 1986

Duterte is one of the political “beneficiaries” of the EDSA Revolution. After the historic event, he was appointed by then president Corazon Aquino officer-in-charge (OIC) vice mayor of Davao City – his first political post in the city.

Prior to his appointment, Duterte – a lawyer by profession – served as assistant city prosecutor at the city prosecution office.

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JEJOMAR BINAY
born November 11, 1942
43 years old in February 1986

Another political “beneficiary” of the EDSA Revolution, Binay was appointed officer-in-charge mayor of Makati. In fact, he was the first chief local executive to be appointed by Aquino after the revolution.

He was among those who stood at the barricades of EDSA, as he was also imprisoned once for defending other political prisoners.

He likewise served as the campaign manager of PDP-Laban in Makati during the 1986 presidential snap elections. – Rappler.com

Photo credits: Binay: OVP file photo. Poe, Roxas: Rappler file photos. Duterte: contributed photo. Santiago: file photo from office of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.