EDSA Then and Now: Can People Power Still Change the Philippines?

In the Philippines, the name EDSA carries more weight than just a stretch of road in Metro Manila. It has become a symbol of courage, defiance, and the unshakable belief that ordinary people, when united, can challenge even the most powerful.

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9/21/20254 min read

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On September 21, 2025, thousands have once again gathered along EDSA and in Luneta for a massive protest against corruption. The date is no coincidence. It marks the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, one of the darkest periods in Philippine history. Protesters are calling for accountability in alleged multi-billion peso anomalies in flood control projects — ghost projects, unfinished infrastructure, and funds that vanished without a trace.

As I watch the news unfold, I can’t help but ask: Will this rally change anything? Or is this just another déjà vu moment — history repeating itself?

A Walk Through EDSA’s History

To answer that, let’s rewind to February 1986. The original People Power Revolution, or what we now call EDSA I, toppled a dictatorship that had ruled the Philippines for two decades. For four days, millions of Filipinos stood shoulder to shoulder — priests, nuns, students, workers, even soldiers — facing down tanks and soldiers with nothing but prayers, songs, and courage. It was a peaceful uprising that forced Ferdinand Marcos to flee the country and brought Corazon Aquino to power. Democracy was restored, and the 1987 Constitution was born.

Fast forward to January 2001, and EDSA II erupted. This time, it was about corruption again — President Joseph Estrada faced plunder charges, and when his impeachment trial was derailed, public outrage filled the streets. In just four days, Estrada resigned, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became president.

But then came EDSA III a few months later, led mostly by Estrada’s supporters demanding his release after his arrest. Unlike the first two, it ended violently. The protesters marched to Malacañang Palace, but the government stood firm. Nothing changed.

In the years that followed, more rallies were held along EDSA, often against corruption or misgovernance. Some gained headlines but failed to create lasting change.

Do Rallies Still Work?

History tells us rallies can force change — if they spark unity across sectors, demand concrete actions, and sustain pressure even after the crowds go home.

But history also warns us: change doesn’t always last. After EDSA I, democracy returned, but corruption never really left. After EDSA II, a president fell, yet political dynasties remained.

The challenge has always been follow-through. Investigations start but fade. Laws pass but stay weak in enforcement. Public outrage rises but eventually quiets down as people return to their daily lives.

So the question lingers: will this rally lead to real reforms, or will it be another cycle of anger, promises, and disappointment?

So, What About Today’s Rally?

Today’s protest feels like a reflection of the past, yet with a modern twist. It’s being called the “Trillion Peso March” and “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon.” Civic groups, churches, students, labor unions, and activists are uniting once more, demanding transparency and accountability in the wake of corruption allegations.

The symbolism is powerful: EDSA, September 21, People Power Monument — all echoing the memory of what ordinary Filipinos have achieved before. But beyond the symbolism, the demands are specific: investigate the ghost projects, prosecute those responsible, recover the stolen funds, and reform the system so it doesn’t happen again.

The big question, though, is whether this protest will be a turning point or just another page in the long book of rallies and scandals that the country has seen.

Déjà Vu or Turning Point?

Maybe the real test is not just in how many show up at EDSA, but in what happens the day after. Will there be real investigations? Will officials be held accountable? Will reforms be passed to close the loopholes that let corruption thrive?

Rallies like this remind us of our collective power — but power fades if not followed by persistence. EDSA gave us freedom once, twice even. Whether it can give us lasting change now depends not only on the people on the streets but also on what all of us demand in the months to come.

For now, the whole country watches. Will this be a new chapter — or just another repeat of history?