Source: CNA
MANILA: The Philippines marks 25 years since a bloodless revolution ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and as countries in the Middle East grapple with their own uprisings, the Philippines' "people power" experience may provide some lessons on the road ahead.
Twenty-five years ago, Filipinos from all walks of life trooped to the intersection of one of Metro Manila's busiest streets and toppled a dictator in a peaceful, bloodless revolution known as the "people power revolution".
In the mid the political tension happening in the Middle Eastern countries, the Filipinos' "people power" experience may offer many lessons for other citizens to maximise the potentials of their popular uprisings.
Institute for Political and Electoral Reform executive director Ramon Casiple said: "It is not enough to oust a dictator. It's even more important that you build a democracy and build it in the right way. I think that lesson will still have to be learned".
But 25 years after, Filipinos say little has changed and many reforms are still needed to transform the lives of 94 million Filipinos.
Centre for Political and Democratic Reforms executive director Clarita Carlos said: "If you say that you now have a free press and you can now speak your minds, maybe that is a change.
"But so what? I mean, so what if you can already speak freely? Has it changed your economic status? Do you have a better life? Is the poverty level reducing? Are you able to increase the opportunities of people to advance themselves? The answer is generally no".
As Filipinos look back to this significant moment in the country's history, many reforms are still needed for the nation to achieve genuine change and to attain the ideals of true democracy.
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MANILA: The Philippines marks 25 years since a bloodless revolution ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and as countries in the Middle East grapple with their own uprisings, the Philippines' "people power" experience may provide some lessons on the road ahead.
Twenty-five years ago, Filipinos from all walks of life trooped to the intersection of one of Metro Manila's busiest streets and toppled a dictator in a peaceful, bloodless revolution known as the "people power revolution".
In the mid the political tension happening in the Middle Eastern countries, the Filipinos' "people power" experience may offer many lessons for other citizens to maximise the potentials of their popular uprisings.
Institute for Political and Electoral Reform executive director Ramon Casiple said: "It is not enough to oust a dictator. It's even more important that you build a democracy and build it in the right way. I think that lesson will still have to be learned".
But 25 years after, Filipinos say little has changed and many reforms are still needed to transform the lives of 94 million Filipinos.
Centre for Political and Democratic Reforms executive director Clarita Carlos said: "If you say that you now have a free press and you can now speak your minds, maybe that is a change.
"But so what? I mean, so what if you can already speak freely? Has it changed your economic status? Do you have a better life? Is the poverty level reducing? Are you able to increase the opportunities of people to advance themselves? The answer is generally no".
As Filipinos look back to this significant moment in the country's history, many reforms are still needed for the nation to achieve genuine change and to attain the ideals of true democracy.
