‘No to history distortion’: PUP students walk out to remember EDSA revolt

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Students refuse to let propaganda and disinformation erase the human rights abuses and corruption during the Marcos dictatorship

MANILA, Philippines – Students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) staged a walkout on Tuesday, February 25, after the university administration refused to suspend classes for the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, which led to the ousting of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.

“Hindi namin papayagan na maging mere spectators lang kami sa ganitong distortion sa kasaysayan natin, at handa kami na lumiban sa mga klase namin para makiisa at magpatuloy sa commemoration ng EDSA People Power uprising,” PUP student leader Tiffany Brillante told Rappler.

(We will not allow ourselves to be mere spectators in this distortion of our history, and we’re ready to skip our classes to join and continue the commemoration of the EDSA People Power uprising.)

Clad in black shirts and holding placards calling for accountability in governance and an end to corruption, PUP students marched from their classrooms to the main gate of their university.

The students demanded the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte in her looming impeachment trial, greater transparency in the 2025 budget, and accountability from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The PUP student regent reported that university president Manuel Muhi had said they couldn’t simply suspend classes like other schools, citing that PUP is a state university. Several schools, mostly private or Catholic schools, suspended classes on Tuesday for the People Power anniversary.

Marcos had downgraded February 25 this year to a special working day, drawing the ire of those who saw the move as an attempt to downplay the revolt that toppled his father from power in 1986.

Malacañang said it is the President’s prerogative to decide which days are designated as holidays or non-working days, while emphasizing that he is not discouraging anyone from participating in EDSA commemoration activities.

Students from the University of Santo Tomas also held a protest in front of their campus to commemorate the EDSA revolution. The university was one of the schools that suspended classes on Tuesday.

PROTEST. Students from the University of Santo Tomas hold a protest to commemorate the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 2025. Photo by The Varsitarian

At Adamson University, yellow ribbons and banners were displayed on campus. Yellow is the color associated with EDSA and former president Corazon Aquino, who rose to power through the same revolution.

“Yellow was a color of resistance. It was not only about Cory or Ninoy but about what their lives symbolized — martyrdom, hope, and love of country. It was also more against Marcos, against Martial Law, against the repression — and all that he represented,” said Adamson University president Danny Pilario in a Facebook post.

YELLOW RIBBON. Adamson University displays yellow ribbons to commemorate the 39th EDSA anniversary on February 25, 2025. Photo from Adamson University’s Facebook page

A Marcos may be back in Malacañang, but for the students who showed up in protests on Tuesday, no amount of propaganda and disinformation can erase the human rights abuses and corruption during the dictatorship of the first Marcos who became president.

“Never forget, never again.” – Rappler.com