Statement on the 40th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution

Forty years into fighting for our democracy, we commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution to remind ourselves of the unfinished revolution against impunity. Remembering People Power mandates us to navigate democracy progressively. As such, the honor of the 1986 uprising shall be a living commitment to resist human rights violations, confront historical distortion, and restore the glory to the Filipino people. 

EDSA’s legacy was never confined to ousting just a regime—it transcends our understanding of people-powered activism and participatory governance. The Filipino people resisted tyranny and the facade of a ‘golden’ era to unravel the truth behind the Marcos Sr. dictatorship. As diplomats ng bayan, we stand today, still critical amid diplomacy. We stand to protect and act on the interests of the majority in demanding accountability from the Marcoses and extending all commands of accountability to the present abuses and negligence of the Dutertes and their cronies.

The impeachment proceedings initiated against Vice President Sara Duterte signal a critical test of our constitutional institutions and the rule of law. At the same time, the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. places the country at a crossroads: whether to uphold democratic checks and balances or to allow political alliances and historical revisionism to dilute public accountability. Under their leadership, democracy continues to be challenged and undermined. These moments are not isolated controversies but reflections of a broader democratic reckoning; one that demands vigilance from citizens, institutions, and diplomats alike to ensure that power remains subject to law and that public office remains a public trust.

Yet the wounds of the past are now being deliberately concealed through social media propaganda, historical distortion, and state-led intimidation—even against diplomats. Under the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the EDSA People Power has now become a special working holiday—leaving no room for Filipinos to commemorate the nation's triumph against the dictatorial regime. Moreover the administration has shown complacency toward human rights violations, state harassment, and the spread of disinformation, echoing the failures of his predecessor. Finally, its passive and inconsistent responses to global and regional crises—including U.S. tariffs, China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea, and the Gaza genocide—reflect a neglect of the fundamental responsibilities of leadership and diplomacy. MUN-UPD asserts the necessity of principled diplomacy and proactive leadership in advancing peace, security, human rights, and sustainable development.

Today, February 25, as the nation commemorates the 40th anniversary of the People Power Revolution, EDSA must be recognized not as a distant memory but as a present-day call to action. It reminds every citizen and diplomat of their duty in nation-building, in defending good governance, and in advocating for a just global society. What we have endured as a nation is proof of our resilience and democratic spirit—and it is our responsibility to carry this legacy forward, not only on the streets of EDSA but across borders worldwide.

For Solidarity Across Borders.