39 years after millions of Filipinos successfully (and peacefully!) ended a twenty-one year dictatorship, the EDSA People Power Revolution is still a complex, blurry moment in our nation’s history. Years of censored journalism, misleading syllabi, and limited public discourse have kept the details of the days leading up to February 25, 1986 overwhelmingly murky. Who were the real key players in EDSA? How did things turn out for them post-revolution? And where are they now?
Nearly four decades after the Filipino people demanded an end to former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime, the narratives of its most influential figures — those who shaped, led, or capitalized on the revolution — are far from simple. To commemorate EDSA’s 39th anniversary, let’s take a closer look at the people who defined EDSA, their roles in the movement, and the fates they met once the dust settled.
Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Ferdinand Marcos Sr. rose to presidential power in 1965, becoming a dominant figure in the country’s politics. While initially praised for his leadership and significant infrastructure projects, Marcos’ administration became increasingly controversial as he declared martial law in 1972, citing national security concerns. This move allowed him to extend his rule and control political opposition. Marcos’ long presidency saw both economic growth and widespread allegations of corruption and human rights abuses.
In 1986, a disputed election led to the People Power Revolution and forced Marcos and his family into exile in Hawaii, marking the end of his two-decade rule. Despite his exile, the years immediately after the revolution showed that Marcos still had loyalists in the country who rallied against the Aquino government. Today, his legacy and influence can still be seen as his namesake sits as the 17th President of the Philippines.
Corazon ‘Cory’ Aquino
The 11th president of the Philippines, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, first caught the nation’s attention as the wife and unwavering partner of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Marcos’ fiercest critic. After Ninoy’s tragic assassination on August 21, 1983, Aquino emerged as the figurehead of the opposition. Though she was widely believed to have been cheated out of victory in the controversial 1986 presidential snap elections, this loss ignited the People Power Revolution. The peaceful, four-day protest ultimately forced the Marcoses into exile and saw Aquino sworn in as the country’s first female president.
Though her presidency faced challenges (including multiple coup attempts), Aquino restored democracy to the Philippines after years of martial law and dictatorship. Aquino passed away in 2009, but her legacy endures. Following her death, her son Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III served as the country’s 15th president; however, after his term, the Aquino legacy is arguably at its least influential as the country looks to other figureheads 39 years after EDSA.
Democracy
Marcos’ 21-year presidency — including nine years of martial law — mark “one of the darkest periods in the Philippines’ history.” The human rights non-governmental organization Amnesty International documented “extensive human rights violations,” including reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, forced disappearances, and murder. Needless to say, this was not the best time for Philippine democracy.
However, EDSA marked a historic turning point with the end of Marcos’ rule signaling a return to democratic processes that allowed all Filipinos to participate in shaping their country’s future. While the Philippines continues to face challenges with political dynasties, corruption, and threats to free speech, the current political climate is still far from what it was pre-EDSA.
Capitalism
Under Marcos’ regime, capitalism was deeply intertwined with political power, as many businesses were controlled by a small group of capitalists with close ties to the Marcoses. Crony capitalism flourished, with lucrative government contracts, monopolies, and favorable policies granted to Marcos’ allies, contributing to widespread inequality and corruption.
In the days leading up to February 25, Aquino called for “massive civil disobedience” and the boycott of all Marcos supporter-owned companies and media. Because of this, crony corporations and businesses saw their shares in the stock market plummet significantly, forcing business elites to choose between their loyalty to Marcos and their economic interests. After EDSA, the Philippines experienced a shift in capitalism as new political and business figures emerged, but the concentration of wealth and power continues. In a post-EDSA Philippines, the economy grows while struggling with the unequal wealth distribution and inefficient systems resulting from continued nepotism and cronyism.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
We could talk about all the Marcoses, but let’s focus on the one who’s now back in the highest seat of power: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (also known as “BBM”). The son of the former dictator, Bongbong first made his mark in Philippine politics in the 1980s, rising through the ranks as a congressman, senator, and governor. Despite the controversial legacy of his family, he maintained a strong political presence, emphasizing economic growth and infrastructure during his tenure. In 2022, he was elected president, bringing the Marcos family back to Malacañang.
While there are still those who fight for democracy, Bongbong’s presidential win has established that the majority of Filipinos have moved on from EDSA and see the younger Marcos as separate from his family’s complicated history. Especially for voters who did not live through his father’s dictatorship, Bongbong offers a “refreshing choice” after recent administrations failed to meet expectations.
Juan Ponce Enrile
Let’s not forget Juan Ponce Enrile, a figure who played a pivotal role in the Marcos era and beyond. As Marcos’ defense secretary, Enrile was instrumental in the declaration of martial law in 1972, helping solidify Ferdinand Marcos’ grip on power. However, in a dramatic turn, he switched allegiances during the 1986 People Power Revolution, becoming a key player in the movement that ultimately ousted the Marcos family.
After the revolution, Enrile was accused by the Aquino government of helping orchestrate several coup attempts but was never convicted. Since EDSA, Enrile has become one of the most influential men in politics, serving as a senator for multiple terms. In 2014, Enrile was indicted for plunder and graft in relation to the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance (PDAF) Fund. He was acquitted in 2024. Now at 101 years old, Enrile serves as BBM’s Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
Fidel Ramos
on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
Fidel Ramos, a former military leader, was once a trusted ally of Marcos, serving as the dictator’s chief of staff in the Armed Forces. However, in 1986, he, alongside Juan Ponce Enrile, defected from the regime and joined the opposition. After Cory’s presidency, Ramos went on to become president from 1992 to 1998, where he focused on implementing key political and economic reforms that helped stabilize and modernize the country. Ramos passed away in 2022 at the age of 94.
Jaime Cardinal Sin
Although Jaime Cardinal Sin initially supported Ferdinand Marcos, he grew increasingly critical of the dictatorship over time. By 1986, he became an outspoken opponent and directly called on Filipinos to join the People Power Revolution at EDSA. Four days before the revolution, Sin urged support for military leaders like Ramos and Enrile, who had defected from Marcos. Using Radio Veritas, the Catholic Church-owned station, he appealed for food and supplies for the protesters.
Sin passed away in 2005 at the age of 76 due to renal failure, leaving behind a significant legacy in Philippine history. His role during EDSA serves as a reminder of the intertwined roles of church and state in the Philippines’ political life. Since Sin’s passing, no other religious figure in the Filipino Catholic Church has held as much political influence as the former Archbishop of Manila.
