THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the EDSA People Power revolution should not be just a “remembrance,” but must be sustained through prayer as the nation marks its 40th anniversary.
“We cannot be content with remembrance alone; we are called to be a prophetic voice — not comfortable, not silent, but faithful,” said Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, CBCP president, during his homily on the fourth day of the Novena Mass at the EDSA Shrine on Thursday.
Garcera said EDSA was not merely a political event but a deeply spiritual one, powered by prayer, faith and moral courage.
He recalled the images of Filipinos holding rosaries, offering flowers to soldiers and singing hymns in the face of tanks and soldiers in battle gear.
“EDSA was not simply people power; it was people power sustained by prayer. Faith gave people the courage to resist peacefully, and prayer transformed protest into a moral witness,” he said.
Garcera called on the nation to embody the values of EDSA by remaining vigilant against injustice and corruption, resisting moral complacency and choosing truth over lies.
“The Church cannot be content with remembrance alone. We are called to be a prophetic voice — not comfortable, not silent, but faithful. Silence in the face of injustice is not holiness; it is complicity,” he said.
He reminded Filipinos that the freedom regained during EDSA came at a great cost, and demanded vigilance, responsibility and action to preserve it.
“EDSA at 40 is not just a commemoration; it is an examination of conscience. The greatest danger today is not only historical distortion but moral fatigue. When freedom is treated merely as a memory and not a duty, the spirit of EDSA slowly dies,” Garcera said.
As part of preparations for the “Trillion Peso Movement” rally on Feb. 25, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducted a coordinated walk-through at the People Power Monument on Friday.
The inspection aimed to ensure public safety, maintain smooth traffic flow, and uphold peace and order in the vicinity of the monument and adjacent roads, particularly along EDSA, which has been officially declared a no-rally zone.
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said the walk-through is part of standard operating procedures for mass gatherings in high-traffic corridors and historically significant public spaces.
Torre said the agency continues to coordinate with the Quezon City government, law enforcement and event organizers to ensure the rally is conducted safely and responsibly.
The walk-through covered key aspects of the event’s logistics, including the identification of entry and exit points, emergency access lanes and alternate routes to ease traffic buildup.
Authorities also reviewed locations for staging areas, first-aid stations and placement of equipment such as ambulances, tow trucks, mobile patrol units, motorcycle units and portalets.
Traffic enforcers will be deployed at choke points, with designated rerouting schemes for private and public utility vehicles.
Participants of the rally are expected to gather at the EDSA Shrine at 7 a.m. for a prayer before marching to the People Power Monument for afternoon programs.
Authorities anticipate a crowd of around 30,000 during the event.
Motorists are advised to expect slightly heavier traffic near the monument and surrounding roads, though EDSA itself will remain open to ensure minimal disruption.
The MMDA said emergency lanes will be kept clear at all times to allow immediate access for medical responders and law enforcement units if needed.
It reminded participants to follow safety protocols, avoid obstructing traffic and cooperate with authorities to ensure that the rally proceeds peacefully and safely.
