Philippine protesters say ‘never again’ on anniversary of anti-Marcos uprising

Hundreds marked the anniversary of the 1986 uprising that ousted Ferdinand Marcos, while vowing to prevent his son, the president, from repeating the dictatorship

Marcos Jnr is still popular, but critics say his campaign to alter the constitution could lead to the abolition of presidential term limits

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Protesters in Quezon City grieve with a makeshift coffin with words reading ‘Democracy’ and ‘Peace’ during a demonstration commemorating the 38th anniversary of the revolution which ousted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s dictator father and sent the family into exile. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:52pm, 25 Feb 2024

Hundreds of Filipino protesters marched through Manila on Sunday, marking the anniversary of the 1986 uprising that ousted Ferdinand Marcos, while vowing to prevent his son from repeating the dictatorship.

Marcos Jnr won the presidency in a landslide in 2022, nearly four decades after a “People Power” uprising ended his late father’s 20-year rule and chased the clan into exile in the United States.

While Marcos Jnr remains popular, his campaign to alter the 1987 constitution has proved divisive.

Critics warn the effort could lead to the abolition of term limits, with presidents currently allowed just one six-year stint in office.

“The theme of this protest is to reject Marcos’s charter change moves which is a move to remain (in) power … which is basically what happened 38 years ago,” said economist Rosario Guzman, 58. She also said she had taken part in the 1986 uprising.

“No to Cha-Cha (charter change),” read a protest banner displayed behind a mock black coffin marked “Freedom and Democracy”.