MANILA: Hundreds of protestors in Philippine came on the streets of Manila on Sunday, to observe the anniversary of the uprising that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos, while vowing to stop his son, the current President Bongbong Marcos from repeating the dictatorship.
Marcos Jr. became the president after securing a landslide victory in 2022, nearly four decades after an uprising ended his father’s 20-year dictatorship.
Though Marcos Jr. remains popular, his campaign to alter the 1987 constitution has proved disruptive.
Critics warn that the move could lead to ending of term limits, with presidents currently allowed just one six-year tenure in office.
Economist Rosario Guzman, 58, who told media that she had also participated in the 1986 uprising. She went on to say that the theme of the recent protest was to reject Marcos’s charter change moves to remain in power.
Protestors chanting ant-doctorship slogans
Protestors were chanting slogans against charter change.
Marcos says that he is just trying to amend the economic provisions of the charter to allow more foreign investment, and create more employment opportunities.
He has said the political aspects, including tenure limits, should be taken later.
Manila police has said that a few hundred people participated in Sunday’s rally march, not matching the strength of the crowd that paralyzed the capital’s main avenue over four days in 1986 until the military withdrew its backing for the elder Marcos.
A Protestor Giu de Sagun said he felt like he was witnessing history repeat itself. Some protesters were shirts and hats with inscriptions “never again.”
