The Palace has skipped any celebration to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Edsa II last week and would rather prepare for the anniversary rites of the first bloodless revolution next month.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte could not explain why there were no commemorative rites for the second popular uprising that ousted the Estrada regime and installed then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the presidency in 2001.

“I don’t know who organizes this kind of event so I don’t have details on that,” Valte said over government radio when asked about the absence of the commemorative event for Edsa People Power 2.

But when asked about government arrangements for the 25th anniversary of the first Edsa People Power Revolution next month, Valte said preparations are underway to observe the historic event.

“From what I understand, we have preparations for that although at this time, it is not clear what the extent is,” she said.

Valte said President Aquino is expected to give a message on the anniversary of the first People Power that led to the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship on February 25.

“I just don’t know the specifics whether the message would be released or it would be a speech. At this point, we cannot confirm the extent of the participation of the President,” she said.

The Edsa People Power Commission led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. is mandated to supervise events to commemorate the 1986 popular revolt that eventually restored democracy in the country.

Genalyn Kabiling, Manila Bulletin