The People Power Revolution: A Triumph of Democracy in the Philippines

The People Power Revolution, often known as the EDSA Revolution or simply the February Revolution, stands as a pivotal moment in Philippine history. This extraordinary series of popular demonstrations, predominantly unfolding in Metro Manila from February 22 to 25, 1986, marked a resolute and sustained campaign of civil resistance against systemic regime violence and rampant electoral fraud. It was a remarkably nonviolent uprising that ultimately led to the swift departure of Ferdinand Marcos, bringing an end to his two-decade-long dictatorship and ushering in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

This historic movement is also affectionately referred to as the Yellow Revolution. This poignant moniker emerged from the ubiquitous presence of yellow ribbons adorning the demonstrations, a powerful symbol of protest. These ribbons were a direct reference to Tony Orlando and Dawn's enduring song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree," and they came to signify defiance and hope following the tragic assassination of opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in August 1983. Aquino had been returning to the Philippines from exile, and his murder ignited a flame of public outrage that would smolder for years before erupting into revolution. The People Power Revolution was widely celebrated as a resounding victory for the Filipino people against President Marcos's twenty years of authoritarian rule, making international headlines as "the revolution that surprised the world."

Ferdinand Marcos: The Rise and Fall of a Dictator

To fully grasp the significance of the People Power Revolution, one must understand the man whose rule it sought to overturn. Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr., born September 11, 1917, and passing on September 28, 1989, was a controversial Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat. He served as the 10th President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, a tenure marked by both initial economic growth and, ultimately, widespread corruption and brutality.

A Legacy Tarnished by Deception and Power

Marcos's political ascent was initially bolstered by claims of being the "most decorated war hero in the Philippines" during World War II. However, these claims have since been extensively debunked, with United States Army documents explicitly describing his wartime narratives as "fraudulent" and "absurd." Despite this, his post-war career saw him become a lawyer, then serving in the Philippine House of Representatives from 1949 to 1959, and subsequently in the Philippine Senate from 1959 to 1965. His election to the presidency in 1965 brought initial economic prosperity, particularly through an aggressive program of infrastructure development funded by foreign debt. While popular during his first term, this strategy ultimately triggered an inflationary crisis and growing social unrest in his second.

The Iron Fist: Martial Law and its Consequences

On September 23, 1972, shortly before his second term was set to expire, Marcos placed the Philippines under Martial Law. He maintained this rule until 1981, effectively retaining most of his martial law powers until his deposition in 1986, branding his authoritarian governance as "constitutional authoritarianism" under his Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (New Society Movement). This period was infamous for its profound corruption, extravagance, and state-sanctioned violence. A fraudulent referendum in 1973 ratified martial law, leading to a revised constitution, the silencing of independent media outlets, and the systematic oppression of political opposition, Muslim communities, suspected communists, and ordinary citizens.

The Tipping Point: Economic Collapse and Assassination

Even after being elected for a third term in the 1981 Philippine presidential election, Marcos's popularity plummeted. The nation faced a severe economic collapse beginning in early 1983, a crisis compounded by the widespread public outrage following the assassination of opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. later that year. This escalating discontent, coupled with a resurgence of the opposition in the 1984 Philippine parliamentary election and damning revelations of his hidden financial accounts and fabricated war records, compelled Marcos to call for a snap election in 1986. However, pervasive allegations of mass cheating, alongside mounting political turmoil and documented human rights abuses, provided the final impetus for the People Power Revolution that ultimately removed him from power.

The EDSA Uprising: A Nonviolent Revolution

The heart of the People Power Revolution unfolded across a long stretch of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, universally known by its acronym, EDSA, in Metro Manila. From February 22 to 25, 1986, over two million Filipino civilians converged, joined by various political and military factions, and significantly, by influential religious groups. Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Manila, played a crucial role, alongside Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, the Archbishop of Cebu and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, in mobilizing and uniting the populace.

Fueled by years of accumulated resistance against the governance of President Marcos and his cronies, these protests reached their dramatic climax as Marcos and his family were compelled to flee Malacañang Palace. With the assistance of the United States, which facilitated their departure from the Philippines, the Marcos family was exiled to Hawaii. In the wake of this historic revolution, Ninoy Aquino's widow, Corazon Aquino, was immediately installed as the eleventh president, marking a new chapter for Philippine democracy.

The Enduring Legacy: Corruption and a Family's Return

The Marcos era left an indelible scar on the Philippines. According to source documents from the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), the Marcos family systematically stole an estimated US$5 billion to $10 billion from the Central Bank of the Philippines. The PCGG further detailed their decadent lifestyle, emphasizing the billions pilfered from the nation between 1965 and 1986. Ferdinand's wife, Imelda Marcos, became infamous in her own right for the excesses that characterized their "conjugal dictatorship," giving rise to the term "Imeldific."

Despite this tarnished legacy, two of their children, Imee Marcos and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., have remained active in Philippine politics. In a remarkable turn of events, Bongbong Marcos was elected president in the 2022 election. For decades, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos held the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever theft from a government, though Guinness removed the record from their website for review just weeks before the 2022 Philippine presidential election.

Frequently Asked Questions About the People Power Revolution

What was the People Power Revolution?

The People Power Revolution was a series of nonviolent mass demonstrations in the Philippines, primarily in Metro Manila from February 22-25, 1986, that led to the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos's dictatorship and the restoration of democracy.

Why is it also called the EDSA Revolution?

The majority of the demonstrations took place on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, commonly known as EDSA, in Metro Manila.

What triggered the revolution?

The revolution was fueled by decades of Ferdinand Marcos's authoritarian rule, widespread corruption, human rights abuses, economic decline, and the public outrage following the assassination of opposition leader Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in 1983.

Who succeeded Ferdinand Marcos?

Following Marcos's exile, Corazon "Cory" Aquino, the widow of assassinated opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, was installed as the 11th President of the Philippines.

How much did the Marcos family allegedly steal?

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) estimated that the Marcos family stole between US$5 billion and $10 billion from the Central Bank of the Philippines.

What is the significance of the "Yellow Revolution" nickname?

The nickname "Yellow Revolution" originated from the yellow ribbons worn during the protests, symbolizing hope and defiance in reference to the song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree," and particularly as a tribute to Ninoy Aquino.

Was the People Power Revolution violent?

No, the revolution is widely celebrated for its remarkably nonviolent nature, relying on civil resistance and the sheer numbers of participants to achieve its goals.