THE RESULTS of the 2022 National Elections marked the return of the Marcos family in Malacañang, signaling perhaps a point of no return for the state of democracy in the Philippines. The aftermath of the elections has been marked by polarization, becoming a catalyst for defeatism, emphasized by supporters of the opposition accepting that the state of the country can no longer be changed.
Unfortunately, conditions leading up to the results of the elections were years in the making—a result of intensifying tides of democratic backsliding in the country. As we mark 38 years since the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, a monumental step toward a true Filipino democracy, it is time we shift perspectives and realize that our chance for democracy does not hinge on a singular moment in history.
Democratic backsliding in the Philippines escalated during the former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration due to how it undermined democratic values. In a span of six years, Duterte repressed the media, silenced the opposition, subverted the separation of powers in the government, and legitimized the presence of the Marcoses in the national government.
In his time as president, hearing threats of imprisoning or killing journalists and activists was the norm. While encouraging extrajudicial killings, he was not afraid of presenting himself as the ultimate bringer of justice, using any means that would bring about ‘good’ for the citizens. He consistently exhibited and expressed that leaders like him must do what is necessary to achieve what is “right,” including breaking the rule of law to bring about justice—a mindset manifested in his deadly war on drugs. In addition to this, he has also allied himself with the Marcoses by allowing the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to be buried in Libingan ng mga Bayani, a blatant attempt to erase all the wrongdoings of the Marcos dictatorship against Filipinos.
As a result of his presidency, Duterte ultimately devalued the tenets of democracy, framing such as a failed system that is unable to fulfill the promises it created during the EDSA Revolution. This sentiment was only exacerbated by the win of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is further entrenching his family and other dynasties in political power—invalidating the dream that EDSA put into Filipinos.
For this reason, it is easy to consider the EDSA Revolution as a failure. It failed to stop populist personalities like Duterte from forming a dynasty. It failed to stop the return of the very family it ousted from the presidential seat. Most importantly, it failed to create a government capable of giving Filipinos the development they were promised.
However, characterizing the EDSA Revolution as a failure misconstrues its significance. The revolution was a beginning. It was never supposed to be the only step we needed to take for democracy to be fulfilled in the country. As we are learning now, true democracy cannot be achieved overnight—not even in 38 years. Actualizing true democracy is a persistent process of hoping and striving for a nation that is more inclusive and participatory until, eventually, positions of power are filled with individuals who truly serve Filipinos. As long as we tirelessly choose to hope despite the obstacles and losses, a democratic Philippines continues to be within reach.
Building a better nation necessitates hoping, remembering, and fighting, so that our collective efforts may culminate into reforms that reshape our institutions to embody the true Filipino democracy we began fighting for 38 years ago.
Liana is a third-year Political Science student in Ateneo de Manila University expected to graduate by 2025. With her interest in politics and photojournalism, she aims to better understand society and its structures to progress towards a participatory society that promotes inclusive development. (255)
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by the opinion writer do not necessarily state or reflect those of the publication.
