Editorial 2/25/16 (EDSA Revolution, anniversary, history, freedom, dictatorship, Cebu, presidential elections)

Philippine Star 

If Filipino voters are showing a strong preference for candidates with authoritarian tendencies plus the only son of a dictator, one of the reasons has to be the perception that democracy is not working for the country.  Those who suffered during the oppressive days of one-man rule can only shake their heads and sigh that people who support politicians with an authoritarian bent don’t know what monster they are trying to revive. Beyond warning that Filipinos should be careful what they wish for, however, those who want to nurture hard-won freedoms should address the public frustrations that are giving rise to a longing for discipline and the kind of leadership that gets things done and brings peace and order. [full text]

Sun.Star Cebu 

MARCELO Garbo Jr. has gone a long way since his assignment to Central Visayas in 2011 as director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, which is based in Cebu City. Garbo, who is set to retire on March 2, is on a farewell tour that brought him to Cebu last Tuesday. “It would be disrespectful for me if I won't go back to Cebu and pay respect to the Cebuanos." Garbo should be given the benefit of the doubt. Garbo implemented the suspension order against then governor Gwendolyn Garcia in December 2012. Garcia's refusal to immediately leave her office at the Provincial Capitol sparked a standoff with elements from PRO 7 that Garbo sent, bypassing the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). Garcia was a political ally of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who criticized Garbo's move. [...] As he retires, Garbo must deal with the fact that the assessment of his stint as PRO 7 chief won't be what he wants it to be projected. [full text]

Mindanao Times 

“The Philippine Press Institute (PPI), as the country’s national association of newspapers, envisions a society where the electorate can confidently rely on the press to provide meaningful and incisive election coverage — one that breaks away from horserace reporting, highlighting who’s leading and lagging behind in public opinion polls.” This endeavor can only improve coverage of the coming presidential elections and ultimately enable newspapers to provide incisive information to help voters choose wisely the country’s next  leaders. [full text]

Manila Bulletin

It is good to remember all this today, February 25, the day in 1986 President Cory Aquino was inaugurated and President Marcos  left Malacañang, arriving in Hawaii via  Clark on February 26.  For it was on  that day that democracy  returned to the country,  and with it, democracy’s most basic freedom of speech, which  Filipinos  affirm and enjoy today. [full text]

Inquirer 

For those who stood vigil at Edsa 30 years ago to help topple Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship, reading the snarky posts on social media that dismiss the evil against which they had risked their lives can be terribly disappointing, indeed infuriating. The refrain harps on certain themes, including the outright lie “We could have been another Singapore had Marcos been allowed to stay.” This is a favorite line of the dictator’s son and namesake who is now running for vice president, and for whose benefit an elaborate mythmaking now flourishes. [full page]