EDSA People Power an 'unfinished revolution'- Senator Bam Aquino

Four decades after the first EDSA People Power Revolution, Senator Bam Aquino described the historic uprising as an “unfinished revolution,” calling on Filipinos to rekindle unity as the country continues to grapple with corruption, abuse of authority, and widening inequality.

Aquino made the remarks during the Prayer Power sa EDSA, where he said the commemoration remains necessary amid persistent hardships such as poverty, hunger, and corruption.

“Ang rebolusyon na nakita natin noon, hindi pa siya tapos. Hindi pa siya kumpleto. Hindi pa siya ganap,” Aquino stressed.

“Kailangan pa pong tapusin ang kwento. Kailangan pa pong kumpletuhin ang rebolusyon. Kailangan pa pong makita ang mga pangako ng EDSA at kung forty years kailangan, forty years po ang tatahakin natin para makumpleto ang mga po 'yan,” he added.

He likened the country’s long struggle to the biblical account of the Israelites’ 40-year journey in the desert, urging Filipinos not to lose sight of the values that united the nation in 1986.

“Forty years na po ang lumipas, panahon na po na mahanap natin ang lupang pangako. Panahon na po na buuin natin at kumpletuhin natin ang istorya ng EDSA,” he emphasized.

Aquino said the strength of Filipinos lies in their ability to stand together, to sacrifice, and to put national interest above personal gain, which he described as the nation’s true “superpower.”

“Ang mga Pilipino, may kakayahang magsama-sama, may kakayahang magkaisa, may kakayahang magbigay ng sarili at iuna ang bayan kaysa sa sarili natin. May kakayahan po tayo niyan at kailangan po nating hanapin muli iyong katapangan, hanapin muli iyong kabayanihan na alam natin na nandiyan sa ating mga tiyan,” he pointed out.

Expressing confidence in the younger generation, Aquino said the youth will be instrumental in finally realizing the promises of EDSA.

“Ngayon po na nandito tayo ngayon, ang kabataan na naman ang lumaban. Ang kabataan na naman ang pinakamalakas ang boses kapag may katiwalian sa ating gobyerno. Itong henerasyong po ito, ito po ang henerasyon na kumpleto ng pangako ng EDSA,” he said.

He pointed to the youth-led backlash against the controversial flood control project, noting that online protests ignited public outrage that culminated in the first Trillion Peso March on September 21, 2025.

“Ang kabataan na naman po ang pinakamalakas ang boses kapag may katiwalian sa ating gobyerno. Ang una nilang ginawa, hindi sa lansangan, doon po sa online. Doon po muna nagprotesta bago pumunta dito (EDSA) noong September 21. Nakita natin ang lakas, ang boses ng kabataan, ang henerasyon na siya ang talagang magkukumpleto ng pangako ng EDSA,” he emphasized.

Aquino also warned against relegating the EDSA Revolution to history books, saying its lessons must guide the country’s future direction.

“Ang EDSA Revolution, hindi 'yan isang bagay na para sa mga textbook at sa ating nakaraan kasaysayan. Ito po ay ang gabay at plano sa ating kinabukasan. Gamitin po natin ang nakita ho natin noon, kung paano natin tatahakin ang ating daan,” he said.

The event also featured the People Power 40 Kick-Off Concert, spearheaded by Aquino alongside the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Joy Belmonte, and the Mayors for Good Governance. Held at the Quezon Memorial Circle, the gathering drew more than 20,000 participants, the majority of whom were young Filipinos.