Aquino: Edsa is still unfinished revolution

As a divided nation on Saturday marks the 26th anniversary of the 1986 "people power" uprising, President Benigno Aquino III and human rights groups on Friday appeared agreed on one thing - the historic Edsa upheaval that chased away a dictator remains an unfinished revolution.

Speaking before soldiers and police officers at a homesite being built for their benefit under the administration's housing program, Mr. Aquino said he needed the cooperation of Filipinos to finish the fight.

"With the things happening around us, it's clear that the fight that started in Edsa in 1986 is not yet over," Mr. Aquino said on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the uprising that installed his mother, the late Corazon Aquino, to the presidency.

Political feuds

Mr. Aquino spoke at the ceremonial turnover of 1,500 housing units to beneficiary soldiers and police in Barangay Luciano in Trece Martires City, Cavite.

Saturday's commemoration of the 1986 uprising comes in the midst of political feuds-Chief Justice Renato Corona is undergoing an impeachment trial for alleged constitutional transgressions, while Mr. Aquino's predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has just been arraigned on a charge of electoral sabotage.

Putting house in order

"I need your help to end this fight. Are we going to allow ourselves to again be fooled by the greedy and those who abused their posts? Are we again going to allow those who caused suffering in the country to return to power?" Mr. Aquino said.

"No. I don't think we are going to allow that to happen."

Mr. Aquino said Filipinos had begun putting their house in order.

"Let us just consider the coming days when we can bequeath to the next generation a Philippines that is really different from the one we came upon," he said.

Saturday's activities

Mr. Aquino is scheduled to attend Edsa Day ceremonies at the People Power Monument in Quezon City this morning. He is also scheduled to lay wreaths at the monuments to his mother and to the late Jaime Cardinal Sin in Manila.

It was Sin who called the people to mass on Edsa on the first night of the 4-day People Power Revolt in February 1986.

"This administration remains committed to fulfilling the promise of Edsa. We are continuing to work to achieve a country where progress is inclusive and where justice is dispensed fairly to all," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

Civil society groups marked the Edsa anniversary by picketing the Supreme Court to demand the resignation of Corona.