Salus Populi Suprema Lex Esto

"The health of the people should be the supreme law"

EDSA 1, 2, and 3, a Comparative Study

A Report by Group 5 (1ALM)

Members:
Jadd Casuga Alfaro

Avy Kamille Buyuccan

Juan Antonio Lauro

Tristan Carl Angelo D. Lazo

Stephanie Malapitan

Louis Malaybalay

Gela Pinzon
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Abstract
The Philippines is a country rooted in rich history and perhaps history is the
primary force that has shaped the country to its state today. The most notable events
that have transpired throughout the country’s grand narrative next to Martial Law would
be the so called “People Power Revolution” or most commonly known as EDSA 1 in
1986, EDSA 2 and 3 in 2001.
The first People Power Revolution was sparked by the people’s longing for
democracy, justice, and peace from the horrid and terror regime of the Marcos
administration. The country was engulfed with fear and death for thirteen years and the
Filipino people finally said enough, triggered by key events such as the assassination
of former Senator Benigno (Ninoy) Aquino Jr. in 1983, the 1986 Philippine
Presidential Election in February 7, 1986, and finally the Defection of Enrile,
Ramos, and RAM soldiers in February 22, 1986 which marks the first day of the three
day protest. EDSA 1 garnered worldwide recognition and was known as the first
“peaceful revolution” in the world. After EDSA 1 Marcos and his family fled the
country and the people elected its first female president, Corazon “Cory” Aquino and the
country prospered and enjoyed years of freedom and democracy.
In 2000, the country was once again rattled by controversy involving the
country’s most trusted public servant, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada.
Triggered by events such as his involvement in the so called “the jueteng scandal”
which led to more implications for the former president that led to an impeachment trial
where eleven out twenty senators present during the hearing voted “no” to
opening the 2nd envelope that could have served vital into the former president’s
impeachment. When the people heard of the decision, the people started gathering in
the streets of EDSA and for four days, protested for former president Estrada’s
resignation. On January 20, 2001 former president Estrada finally left Malacanang;
because of the vacant position left in the palace, former Vice President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo took power and became the 14th president of the Philippines.
Months after the events of EDSA 2, on April 2001 protest on EDSA was sparked
by the arrest of the newly deposed president Joseph Estrada. Supporters of
Estrada were enraged with what happened especially when pictures and mugshots
of Estrada were released to the public and so they opted to protest once again in
the streets of EDSA, marking the third people power revolution in the country.
Partnered with the arrest of Estrada, the protest was inspired by the people’s
disbelief in the system and how the ousting of Estrada was deemed to be
unconstitutional. Despite many people not believing that EDSA III did not happen, all
the requisites were present along with the other two (2) EDSA Revolutions.
EDSA’s I, II, and III are clear indications of the resilience of the Filipino people,
these events mark a very significant contribution to Philippine history that has been
engraved in the hearts and minds of every Filipino citizen from this generation to the
next.

Key Terms:
“People Power”, “People Power II”, “Marcos Regime”, “Martial Law”, “Joseph Estrada”,

“Erap Para sa Mahirap”,”Gloria Arroyo”, “Jueteng”,

Topic Outline:

1. Introduction Tristan Carl Angelo D. Lazo

2. EDSA 1 Stephanie Malapitan and Louis Malaybalay

3. EDSA 2 Juan Antonio Lauron and Gela Pinzon

4. EDSA 3 Jadd Alfaro and Avy Kamille Buyuccan

5. Major Findings and Conclusion Tristan Carl Angelo D. Lazo

References:

Primary Sources:

EDSA 1:

Foreign Critics of Polls Hit. (1986, February 22). BULLETIN TODAY. Retrieved

November, 2018.

Big businessmen back Cory. (1986, February 22). The Manila Times. Retrieved

November, 2018.

Officials quit gov't. (1986, February 22). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November,

2018.

Enrile, Ramos quit; conspiracy charged by FM. (1986, February 22). BULLETIN

TODAY. Retrieved November, 2018.

Manila Rebellion. (1986, February 23). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.

Manila Rebellion. (1986, February 23). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.

Enrile, Ramos split with FM; called 'coup' slay plotters. (1986, February 23). Philippine

Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November, 2018.

Bloody end feared as Ramos, Enrile turn down FM bid. (1986, February 23).

Bulletin Today. Retrieved November, 2018.

Ramos forms Army. (1986, February 24). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.

Tanks move in. (1986, February 24). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November,

2018.

FM declares emergency; new Aquino gov's formed. (1986, February 25). BULLETIN

TODAY. Retrieved November, 2018.

Ramos forms Army. (1986, February 25). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.
Marcos' last stand. (1986, February 25). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.

Cory takes oath?. (1986, February 25). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November,

2018.

F.M. Leaves R.P.. (1986, February 25). Bulletin Today. Retrieved November, 2018.

Marcos Flees. (1986, February 25). Manila Times. Retrieved November, 2018.

It's all over; Marcos flees!. (1986, February 25). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved

November, 2018.

EDSA 2:

Caligner, E. (2018, November 14). [Personal interview].

Dedace, A. (2018, November 14). [Personal interview].

Reyes, M. (2018, November 14). [Personal interview].

“Mga atraso ni Erap: Kay bilis naman nating makalimot--: Ang makasaysayang People

Power Part 2 sa mga pahina ng Pinoy times special edition, issues 1-16. (2007).

Manila: Foundation for Worldwide People Power” (Compilation of newspaper clippings)

(n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2018, from

http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a11e8065ffea77d7ec8c0347a8380

110 ( Video Clip)

Danao, E. (2001, January 23). Estrada to Senate: Open 2nd envelope. PhilStar Global.

Retrieved November 20, 2018, from

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/01/23/89494/estrada-senate-open-2nd-

envelope

Pilipinas, B. N. (2016, April 13). Retrieved November 20, 2018, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE8rbfgafTc
Villianueva, M. A. (2000, October 13). Estrada: Jueteng bribery charges a ‘hatchet job’

by my rivals. PhilStar. Retrieved November 20, 2018, from

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2000/10/13/88470/estrada-jueteng-bribery-

charges-145hatchet-job146-my-rivals

Coronel, S. S., & Balatan, S. C. (2001). EDSA 2: A nation in revolt: A photographic

journal. Pasig City, Philippines: Anvil Pub.

EDSA 3

Philippine Daily Inquirer [Enrile Arrested] published on May 2, 2001. For rebellion in
connection with EDSA III.

John Odonnell Petalcorin (Interview) (Communications and Advocacy Program

Headwriter of NEDA; Coordinator of Regional Development Forum; Angat Pinoy
2004 Member)

[AP Archive]. (2015, July 15). WRAP: best day and night shots of protest including
Arroyo address. ://youtu.be/T0li7gzosiY
[ABS-CBN News]. (2012, July 20). TV Patrol: Supporters dumagsa sa EDSA matapos
maaresto si Erap. https://youtu.be/NJoaktCXDA8
[GMA News]. (2018, May 1). SONA: Anong ganap sa EDSA III
https://youtu.be/YuO8H9i7Vb8

Secondary Sources:

EDSA 1:

ABS-CBN News. (2017, February 21). TIMELINE: EDSA People Power Revolution.

Retrieved November 12, 2018, from https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/02/21/17/timeline-

edsa-people-power-revolution

GMA News Online. (2017, February 24). WATCH: A timeline of the 1986 EDSA People

Power Revolution. Retrieved November 12, 2018, from

 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/specialreports/600884/a-timeline-of-the-1986-

edsa-people-power-revolution/story/

Manila Bulletin. (2018, February 25). Retrieved November 13, 2018, from

https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-bulletin/20160225/282497182736833

Guingona, F. C. (2010). The 1986 People Power Revolution. Retrieved November 11,

2018, from

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~guing22f/classweb/The1986PeoplePowerRevolution/page

11/timeline of events/timelineofevents.html

-Retrieved November 11, 2018, from http://www.philippine-history.org/edsa-people-

power-revolution.htm

Henderson, M. (2017, February 22). Retrieved November 12, 2018, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWQHSJJ8OyE

-News5Everywhere. (2016, February 25). Retrieved November 13, 2018, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdi5HsjWZnc

EDSA 2:

(2001, January 20). Retrieved November 21, 2018, from

http://twist14.tripod.com/edsa2/thestory.html

EDSA 3:

The Fall of Estrada by an Unknown Writer from Tripod

[GMA News]. (2018, May 1). SONA: Anong ganap sa EDSA III https://youtu.be/YuO8H9i7Vb8
GMA News Online. (2007, August 28). EDSA 3 leader: No plan to riot, destabilize.
Retrieved November 21, 2018, from
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/58049/edsa-3-leader-no-plan-to-riot-
destabilize/story/?fbclid=IwAR3JP_-ryDv-Cq1DZv8-
e0Y8YIlECIeQaUkvEkn8ag4IBNIFhxG6BuCxtM8
Mendez, C. (2001, April 28). P2-B war chest for EDSA 3 defections? Retrieved November
21, 2018, from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/04/28/90512/p2-b-war-chest-
edsa-3-defections?
fbclid=IwAR0PvbMYCIBuD5oMQG0lGAmbP9mA0DfK4qdzQHNY4N-iEfZ1i1lrhyryfWU
Philstar. (2006, May 1). Pro-Erap forces to retrace ‘EDSA 3 ’. Retrieved November 21, 2018,
from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2006/05/01/334363/pro-erap-forces-
retrace145edsa-3146?
fbclid=IwAR1corf6DHZc2m33CvDaX34gaSGqW4xaUg6dZiocHF6FWzaeU0zKroJ0lJQ

Major Findings:
 Through the group’s research and presentation of the events that have transpired
throughout the 3 movements, the group was able determine the similarities and
contrasts of each event from one another. The following similarities and contrast are
found in the the table provided.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
EDSA 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3

1. Peaceful 1. Mainly focused on the

2. Involvement of the
Catholic Church
3. Involvement of Cardinal
Jaime Sin
Similarities
4. Involvement of Enrile
and Ramos
impeachment of Estrada and
the appointment of Arroyo
into office.
2. The participation of the
N/A
same political personalities.
3. Occurred in the same
year where EDSA 2
happened in January and
EDSA 3 in April of 2001.

1. Triggered by different 1. No election was held 1. EDSA 1 was a

presidential controversies
2. Was a more
coordinated movement
due to the support of the
private sectors.
3. EDSA 1 was focused
Differences
more on the removal of
Marcos from office while
EDSA 2 tackled different
controversies.
2. EDSA 2 was sponsored
by different private sectors
while EDSA 3 was not
sponsored by anyone at all.
3. Pure masses participated
in EDSA 3 while EDSA 2 had
participation from the
oligarchs.
4. Food in EDSA 2 was in
abundance because people
peaceful revolution
while EDSA 3 was
composed of a more
aggressive crowd
2. EDSA 3 lasted
longer than EDSA 1
3. EDSA 1 was a
protest to remove the
president from office,
 brought enough to share with while EDSA 3 opted to
others while in EDSA 3. bring the president
There was a scarcity of food back into office.
and even some of them were
poisoned.
5. EDSA 3 lasted longer than
EDSA 2, spanning protests
for almost 1 week.

Conclusion:

EDSA’s I, II, and III are clear indicators of the power of the masses. Though not

all of the revolutions were successful in their goal and were motivated by similar and

different ideals and forces, it demonstrated the capability of the Filipino people to uphold

their power given through the Constitution. It also showed the world that a revolution

can come in many forms be it peacefully and violently. It can be said that the events of

the 3 EDSA Revolutions helped shape and define our country and its repercussions are

continuously shaping our country and its people up to this day.