Democracy is a form of government wherein people are free to choose their leader through the process of election. Since the word DEMOCRACY originated from the two Greek words, "demos" which means people and "kratic" which means power. Democracy is defined as the Government of the people, by the people and for the people, meaning that it is a form of Government in which the will of the people is reflected and serves as the basis for collective decisions. It is a form of Government where elected officials enact or carry out the wishes of the society. These officials are called “politicians” and they serves as representatives of people that they represent. A democratic government highlights or emphasizes the voice of the youth and that their vote counts. These are rights that youth must fight to maintain and will prosper from. One dominating belief in democratic government is that all of the members of the society must be equal. This is observed in the individual vote. All people has the right and enjoys their right to vote. One of the countries which observe the Democratic Government is the Philippines. Other democratic countries include Bhutan, Indonesia, Australia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and many more. Democracy is also an important factor of controlling government power and prevents the people who hold power abusing it and using it for their own gain rather than for the people’s. This is done in a democratic state by having elections and holding those in power accountable for what they have done. Elections do not only help to hold a government accountable but also they let the people participate and have their say in the political process. The people in a democratic system will be able to influence government decisions by joining political parties, joining pressure groups, taking part in protests and many other ways. SOURCE: http://imporanceofdemocracy.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-is-d emocracy-important.html?m=1 http://www.governmentvs.com/en/democratic-countries/model1-4 http://www.economist.com/news/essays/21596796-democracy-was -most-successful-political-idea-20th-century-why-has-it-run -trouble-and-what-can-be-do http://people.howstuffworks.com/does-democracy-work1.htm http://www.academia.edu
Sources: Images: http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/world/20140929/hong-kong-protests.jpg http://www.cdpi.asia/cdpi/uploads/6c69809a9d616301e87d4b76857cdf6b.jpg http://media.philstar.com/images/the-philippine-star/lifestyle/allure/20160228/edsa-revolution-1.jpg http://thewutzup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/edsa.jpg https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQN4Byjjre5zq_7cZdMPHr7xLBvsvGGLvuRg00fH8Jktidkrnot https://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/1481615/180506675/stock-photo-democracy-word-definition-in-dictionary-180506675.jpg
By: Biography.com Editors
Corazon Aquino was the 11th president (and first female president) of the Philippines. She restored democracy after the long dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
Maria Corazon Aquino was born January 25, 1933, in Tarlac, Philippines. Her husband had been an opponent of Ferdinand Marcos and was assassinated upon returning from exile. When Marcos unexpectedly called for elections in 1986, Corazon Aquino became the unified opposition's presidential candidate. She took office after Marcos fled the country, and served as president, with mixed results, until 1992.
PHOTO SOURCE: http://philnews.ph/wpcontent/uploads/2014/08/cory-aquino.jpg
After three years in exile, Benigno Aquino returned to the Philippines on August 21, 1983, when he was killed by two soldiers soon after arriving. Marcos was presumed to be behind the killing, and Benigno's assassination set off a wave of protests against Marcos' administration. The opposition coalesced around Corazon Aquino. While she gracefully dealt with her husband's death, Aquino evolved into a national symbol of reform. With international pressure bearing down on his administration, Marcos unexpectedly called for presidential elections in February 1986. Marcos' opposition chose Aquino as their candidate. When she narrowly lost the election, Aquino and her supporters challenged the results. Quickly, Marco's fortunes began to turn. The army, and then the defense minister, soon declared supportfor Aquino, prompting Marcos to seek exile in Hawaii. Aquino was sworn into office on February 25, 1986, becoming the first female president of the Philippines. That same year, she was named TIME magazine's Woman of the Year.
ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.biography.com/people/corazonaquino9187250#synopsis
Philippines – Aesthetically Democratic? By Ben de Lima “Piliin mo ang Pilipinas” – a lyric from the crowd-pleasing song which is the primary tool in supporting the tourism of our country. Also, it has been the accustomed mantra of our country in terms of tourism. It has been greatly effective in promoting commercial and business here in our country. But, do you think people would actually choose the Philippines, do you think it would be more fun in Philippines, without democracy? Without political orientation? Without freedom? Philippine democracy has always been a big question mark knowing our country faces a lot of political, economic and agricultural adversities making it bleak for people that really there is no hope for the ideal democracy for the Philippines. Democracy now makes the country distinct. For example, during Election campaign period. Aspiring candidates would usually have flashy campaign posters, modern and amusing jingles and celebrities as their endorsers. But as the World Economic Forum website quoted, “But be not deceived; the power to choose is a right and responsibility that Filipinos hold dear.” It essentially means that voting is a powerful tool for us in making us an effective democratic country in such a way that we are extensively practicing the right ways. What is beyond the election period, balloting and whatnot, democracy is much more than that. The vibrancy of democracy in the Philippines (to quote World Economic Forum) hinges largely on the quality of this dialogue and interaction. A government that engages its citizens, is inclusive in its decisionmaking and, most importantly, enjoys the trust of its electorate, can almost certainly count on public support when making tough decisions. This is what defines a real democratic country. The question now is, does the Philippine government practice those kind of things? Do they provide what is stated like people engaging in national adversities? Do they? Democracy for me is, yes, apparent in our country, its just a matter of consistency. Like for example, the past 2016 Elections has been one of the greatest yet chaotic, to put it immensely, because the Filipinos are in search for the rightful president who could actually “change” the country. And after a series of topsyturvy arguments and clash of arguments, President Rodgrio Roa Duterte emerged, to be the new President of the Republic of the Philippines. During the early days of his term, the so called “change” has been indisputable. Not a day would pass without the headlines flashing “4 people dead in a buy-bust operation”, “Drug den discovered in Tondo” or “Policeman shot after operations.”. This sounds alarming to some, but for others this is really the proof that change is really coming. For me, this is one of the perfect examples of democracy. People united as one, to choose an appropriate leader to run our country. Yet some people questions the way he run the government, still there is these certain changes he makes for the betterment of our country. Benigno Aquino III once said “Filipinos are worth dying for.” Let us be mindful of how people back then yearn for freedom and democratic exercise. Let us not put into waste all efforts and lives that were taken just to let us conserve our rights. Let us not put our voices into hiding but rather let us be the ones who will inspire and spark societal change for the common good. The cornerstone of democracy in a country will merely depend on the citizens’ willingness to change their nation. They should choose a well-rounded person who always put his/her whole heart in serving the nation with no rewards expected. He/she should be a person of great dignity and compassion and nothing should ever stop him/her in serving for the common good regardless the consequences he/she might encounter. As “The Express Tribune” quoted, “The greater the freedom of thought and action, the stronger is the culture of democracy.” Freedom is the key to democracy. Through freedom we practice the true essence of democracy. And freedom’s primary foundation is a nation’s people. Democracy will mainly depend on the people itself. We cannot really define democracy, because of its numerous explanations, but we can know whether a country is essentially democratic or not.
FEBRUARY 22-25, 1986 PHOTO SOURCE: https://iaarchives.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/5-edsa-feb28-1-sonny-camarillo.jpg The EDSA Revolution also referred as the People Power Revolution is considered to be the first bloodless fight of the Filipinos for it was composed mostly of nonviolent happenings in our country. This protest had been fueled by the resistance and opposition of years of corruption in the Marcos Government. Four days of peaceful action by almost 2 million Filipinos as well as several political, military and religious figures, led the dethroning of the authoritarian regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos and the inauguration of Corazon Aquino as the new President of the republic. This significant event in history had been shortened and summarized for the leaders of this nation to realize the importance of the freedom that they’re enjoying now not only for the leaders but also the citizens of this nation.
JANUARY 17-21, 2001 PHOTO SOURCE: http://latitudenews.wpengine.netdnacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/EDSA.jpg The Second Edsa Revolution highlights the impeachment of Joseph Estrada for he was charged by Chavit Singson on wasting the people’s money on gambling. Because of some strong evidences, he was proven guilty. the impeachment trial, exposed all the transactions in connection with corruption and theft of public funds.
SOURCES: http://en.wikippilipinas.org/index.php/EDSADos http://getrealphilipiines.com/legacy/agr-disagr/12-erap.html http://jlp-law.com/blog/edsa-/1-2-legal-distinctions/
It must however be noted that the prevailing Constitution of the Philippines calls for the Vice-President of the Philippines, who at the time was Gloria Arroyo, to take the position of the President of the country during events that the current president cannot function in that capacity. Respondent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on the other hand, claims that she is the President. The rise of Arroyo as President, however, is not revolutionary in character. A big number of Anti-ERAP sentiments of the crowd gathered at EDSA Shrine. But the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines withdraw their support for Estrada, joining another crowd at the edsa shrine. It should also be noted that opinion was divided during EDSA II about whether Gloria macapagal-arroyo as the incumbent vice president should be president if Joseph Estrada was ousted. many groups who participated in EDSA II expressly stated that they did not want Arroyo for president either, and some of them would later participate in EDSA III.
It was 30 years ago since millions of Filipinos from all walks of life joined as one, to march towards the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA. This historical occurrence’s aspiration is to end the dictatorship of the Former President Ferdinand Marcos and achieve freedom within the nation. This momentous event has been one of the highlights of the Philippine history, specifically, Philippine democracy. With that, as the GOVPH website quoted, “By virtue of Proclamation No. 1071, s. 2015, February 25, 2016, is a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution—the movement that “restored our democratic institution and ushered in political, social and economic reforms in the country.” In commemoration of the EDSA Revolution, several movements was done. One of the most significant movements that has been done is Ballet Manila’s latest production entitle “Rebel” which was shown last February 25, 26, 27, and 28, 2016 at Aliw Theater that relived the story of Ferdinand, Imelda, Ninoy, and Corazon in the context of the EDSA Revolution. This full length ballet surely have shown the journey of the people behind EDSA Revolution in achieving peace and Sources http://teresay.com/rebel-ballet-manilas-tribute-edsa-revolution/ www.tumblr.malacanang.gov.
freedom and also gave the viewers appreciation with regards to the 30th EDSA Anniversary. Movements like Ballet Manila’s “Rebel” certainly is an example of the Filipinos’ great admiration for the people who were involved in the overthrowing a dictator and to think, there were guns but not a single bullet was fired & no blood was shed. The revolution was peaceful one. It only means that people are capable of resolving national adversities as long as people are united.
“Reliving the rise of the Philippine Democracy”