Trivia about the EDSA People Power Revolution

 

Corazon C. Aquino

In the snap election of 1986, Corazon C. Aquino was winning in the election tally by National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) when the Commission of Election proclaimed Ferdinand Marcos, as winner. Aquino called for a nationwide protest movement against Marcos, and a boycott on products made by companies identified with Marcos. She was in Cebu when Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Vice Chief Staff Fidel V. Ramos announced their withdrawal of support to President Marcos on February 22, 1986. Enrile revealed that Marcos cheated in the snap election and that Aquino flew to Manila on February 23, 1986 to talk to with the rebels and supporters. She went to EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue to give a message of hope to the people manning the highway barricades. On February 25, 1986, Aquino took her oath of office at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan as the eleventh President of the Philippines.

Jaime Cardinal L. Sin

On February 22, 1986, Cardinal Sin received a call from Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, asking the Cardinal for help against the impending arrest order by the government. That afternoon, Enrile and Armed Forces vice Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos withdrew their support for cheating in the Snap Election.

Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila then, aired his message of support for Enrile and Ramos over Radio Veritas. He called on people to bring food for the soldiers in Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. He encouraged people to pray and keep vigil around the two camps. People came in droves. They became, in effect, impenetrable living barricades protecting the soldiers of Enrile and Ramos from the soldiers of President Rarcos.

Cardinal Sin calls on Radio Veritas every two hours. He told his bishops to go to TV and radio station to inspire people and order nuns and priests alike to pray and to keep on praying until Marcos steps down. Marcos eventually fled to Hawaii on February 25, 1986, and Corazon C. Aquino was sworn in the new President.

 

 

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