MANILA, Philippines - Aside from former President Fidel Ramos who had a key role in EDSA 1, two former Presidents who had roles in EDSA 2 would be invited to join the commemorative activities for 25th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution being organized by the EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC). According to event organizer Maria Montelibano, formal invitations would be sent out to the former presidents, including Joseph Estrada, who was ousted in Edsa Dos, and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who assumed power after that.
There is no word yet if the two would attend any of the commemorative activities.
"Everyone will be invited to the events, especially the past presidents and everyone who would like to rekindle and remember EDSA People Power 1986, even if you were not there," Montelibano said.
Foreign dignitaries
Invitations would also be sent out to foreign dignitaries and ambassadors, including those from countries where people power had been replicated.
"In the light of what's happening worldwide, especially in the Middle East with Egypt having their own people power and Tunisia and the rest, it is good to remember that the people power started in the Philippines, in the 20th century at least," Montelibano said.
The family of the late US Rep. Stephen Solarz has also been invited by President Aquino.
"They will be here and they will join the celebration and some activities of the celebration. Remember, Congressman Solarz was very integral and very strategic to what happened to us, and he was the one who was spearheading and who had openly spoken for the Filipino cause in Edsa '86," Montelibano said.
Still a working day, but no classes
Organizers are inviting the public to join the commemorative activities in different parts of the country.
But February 25, Friday, is a working day and only a school holiday.
"One of the considerations here is the welfare of the working class. Many of the workers are covered by the no work, no pay rule. This is why there is a reluctance to just declare holidays beyond the holidays that had already been declared," Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said.
Malacaņang is instead appealing to employers to allow workers to leave work early to allow them to join the celebrations. The government will course the appeal to the employers through business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), among others.
"We would be encouraging them to allow their employees. They could probably let go of their employees in the afternoon of Feb 25. That is the main window for the events to unfold in Edsa," Coloma said.
No classes on February 25 | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features
No classes on February 25, 2011
Originally Posted by s3xyp1nk
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