MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippines prepares to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Church leaders and activists are calling for a renewed focus on systemic change rather than political personalities.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, February 16, 2026, activist priest Robert Reyes, convener of the Clergy for Good Governance, and Fr. Jerome Secillano, Rector of the EDSA Shrine, shared their outlook on the upcoming milestone.
Beyond Personalities and Colors
Acknowledging a sense of disappointment among many Filipinos after 40 years, Fr. Reyes urged the public not to lose hope. “Forty years after EDSA, many feel sad… why does it seem like nothing is happening and the wheel of fortune just keeps turning?” he noted. He emphasized that the struggle for democracy should transcend “colors” and individual leaders. “If we reduce our aspirations to a personality, to one person, we have a problem,” Reyes added.
The “Trillion Peso March”
Fr. Reyes announced the third Trillion Peso March, scheduled for February 25, 2026.
- Target: Instead of calling for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Vice President Sara Duterte, the march seeks to “overthrow” the broader system of political dynasties that has entrenched itself since 1986.
- Accountability: Church leaders aim to hold all public officials accountable amid ongoing corruption scandals, asserting that the “complex system of dictatorship” today is rooted in dynastic rule.
- Legislative Pressure: The call comes as the passage of an anti-political dynasty law remains a priority measure recently approved by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
A Message to President Marcos
Reyes addressed President Marcos Jr. directly, noting the “privileged position” he occupies to “right the wrong” of his father’s regime. While Marcos Jr. has stated he has no “authoritarian impulses,” the Church leaders argued that real reform requires dismantling the very dynastic system that allowed his family’s restoration.
Educating the Youth
Fr. Jerome Secillano emphasized the importance of historical memory. “We need to remember what happened 40 years ago to educate our countrymen, especially the youth,” he said. The upcoming anniversary serves as a critical moment for the nation to reflect on why the promises of 1986 remain unfulfilled and to “rouse the public” once again in defense of democratic principles.