Marking the fortieth year of the 1986 People Power Uprising, progressive groups called for its remembrance as the country drowns in worsening corruption, human rights violations, and attempts at historical revisionism.

As anomalies in flood control projects came to light last year, IBON Foundation reported that an estimated PHP197-billion has been lost to corruption in such initiatives alone under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration from 2022 to 2025.

Kilusang Mayo Uno – Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR) spokesperson Rauf Sissay emphasized that the current administration is “not sincere” enough in investigating corruption in flood control projects.

“Naa’y ginaingon nga ICI, or Independent Commission for Infrastructure, apan wala kini tinuod nga resulta. Apan karon, maihap lang sa atoang kamot ang napriso ug nakasuhan nga mga korap nga opisyal sa atong gobyerno.”

Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women Vice Chairperson Kat Dalon added that human rights violations against the Lumad communities have continued to persist from President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration until his son’s governance today.

“Giilog ang yuta pinaagi sa grabe nga militarisasyon, pagpatay ug pagpalayas sa mga Lumad… Gimugna niya ang paramilitary group aron bahin-bahinon ang katawhan, ug himuong hinagiban sa pagpamatay sa katawhang Lumad. Hangtud karon, kini nga mga grupo nagapadayun sa pagpanglapas sa among tawhanong katungod.”

Kabataan Partylist – Southern Mindanao Region Chairperson Cobbie Jan Canda drew parallels in the people’s demands that have persisted for four decades, which have remained essentially the same over time.

“Yung talagang panawagan ng taumbayan, for example, yung sahod na nakabubuhay, genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, education that is free, accessible and of quality… yun siya yung mga napapaiwan na mga panawagan before at mga panawagan ngayon.”

Canda also asserted that the term “revolution” does not befit the 1986 event, citing the lack of radical change amid the worsening conditions for the masses. 

“Kaya siya tinatawag ng ibang mga grupo na ‘uprising’ kasi wala talagang any radical change na nangyari sa ating lipunan. Yung nangyari lang, nagbago-bago lang ang mga lider,” he explained.

This year marks the third time Marcos Jr. has excluded the February 25 People Power anniversary from the list of non-working holidays since 2024, a move activists called “diluting” its historical significance.

Given these realities, Canda urged the Filipino youth to be “curious” and “empathetic” as attempts to erase the essence of the 1986 People Power became more prevalent.

“Dapat patuloy nating ipaglaban at ipalakas ang ating mga panawagan sa pagpapaningil sa mga government officials, lalo na kina Marcos at Duterte at sa kanilang mga cronies at alipores, at yung talagang pagbago sa lipunan na tunay, radikal, at genuine.”

Civil society groups mobilized for the People Power anniversary mobilization at Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue, Davao City, on February 25, 2026.