Enrile sees EDSA in Libya

At the start of the four-day activities marking the 25th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power uprising, a key player in the relatively bloodless revolt said it can inspire other countries undergoing similar political turmoil. “As I followed the unfolding events in the neighboring countries of Libya and others, I could not help but recall what happened here in EDSA 25 years ago," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday said at the inauguration of the Department of National Defense mini-museum as part of the commemoration of the historic February 1986 uprising. (See: Historic DND room turned into museum for EDSA anniversary) Violent protests are facing Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who has ruled the country for 41 years. (See: Gaddafi under threat as revolt hits Tripoli) Two weeks ago, a wave of protests also swept Egypt’s president for 30 years, Hosni Mubarak, out of office. (See: End of Mubarak era in Egypt as protests topple president) Enrile, a former Marcos ally who withdrew support from the embattled dictator, reminded the Filipino to “hold his head up high and say with unmistakeable pride that EDSA did not only change us, but it also changed the world." “I hope that they will continue to cherish and uphold our democratic tradition," Enrile added. A Catholic bishop, however, said the first People Power revolt was a battle half-won, with the other half still being fought. In an interview published on the website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak of the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines said the Filipino people are “far from winning the battle because we are not united and our vested interests separate us." Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, meanwhile, said he is “pessimistic" about the People Power uprising of 1986. In an interview with Church-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday, Legaspi said, “After 25 years, the reasons why we had EDSA 1 are the same problems that are present in our society today." “So it will be hard for us to motivate and inspire the youth about these historic chapters in our nation," the bishop added, posing a question to challenge the public: “What are you celebrating now?"—Paterno Esmaquel II/JV, GMA News