By Vergel Labesig
THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers condemned what it called was the systematic and state-sponsored attempt to whitewash the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The group was angered by the exclusion of February 25, the anniversary of the People Power Revolution, from the list of special non-working holidays in 2024 under Presidential Proclamation No. 368.
“The People Power Revolution in 1986, which led to the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was a significant turning point in our nation’s history, marking the victory of democracy and the end of a dark era characterized by human rights abuses, corruption, and censorship,” the group said.
“Nitong nakaraang buwan lang, may inilabas na direktiba ang DepEd sa pag-aalis ng ‘Marcos’ sa ‘Diktaduryang Marcos’ sa Araling Panlipunan sa ikaanim na baitang. Ngayon, inalis naman sa opisyal na listahan ng mga mahahalagang petsa sa kasaysayan na ginugunita bilang holidays ang February 25 kung saan tampok ang naging tagumpay ng pagkakaisa at at pakikibaka ng mamamayang Pilipino na nagpatalsik sa pasista, korap at diktador na rehimeng Marcos Sr., kabilang ang pamilya at mga kroni nito,” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.
“Malinaw na sistematikong hakbang ito ng kasalukuyang estado na palabnawin ang kasaysayan at kamalayan ng mamamayang Pilipino hinggil sa malagim na yugto ng rehimeng Marcos,” he added.
The group asserted that if Senator Imee Marcos insists that the exclusion of the 1986 People Power Revolution anniversary from the 2024 national holiday list cannot distort the historical facts surrounding the overthrow of their father’s dictatorial rule, she has to be reminded that preserving the truth is of utmost importance.
“We must ensure that the Filipino people and future generations continue to be informed, at the very least through the declaration of holidays. More importantly, our Philippine history curriculum should be reinstated in high school and intensified to underscore the darkest period of authoritarianism and how it was toppled down by the people’s power,” Quetua said.
