MANILA - The 1986 EDSA uprising is a reminder that power has always been in the hands of the Filipinos, and not those in the government, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday, as the country marked the 32nd anniversary of the People Power revolution.

Robredo made the statement after a Mass celebrated by Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona at the St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Naga City to commemorate the 1986 revolt.

"Hindi ito pag-celebrate lang o ng paggunita noong mga nangyari noong February 22 to 25. Pero ito, pag-alala ng mga aral na napulot natin galing doon. Iyong paalala na iyong kapangyarihan, nasa kamay talaga ng bawat isa sa atin, wala sa gobyerno," she said.

(This is not just a celebration or commemoration of what transpired from February 22 to 25. This is a reminder, a lesson, from that particular event, that power is in each and everyone's hands, not in the government.)

Those who joined the Holy Eucharist lit candles and offered prayers
for democracy. After the Mass, Robredo also led the symbolic release of doves.

The Vice President urged Filipinos to live the spirit of EDSA every day, not just during its commemoration, in order to prevent "darkness" from prevailing in the country again.

"Gaya noong homily kanina ni Archbishop Tirona, pinapaalala niya sa atin na kailangang labanan iyong lahat na yumuyurak sa dignidad ng bawat Pilipino. Iyon siguro iyong pinakaaral saka paalala sa atin," she said, echoing the bishop's homily message.

(Like what Archbishop Tirona said, he reminded us that we need to fight those who step on the dignity of each Filipino. That's one of the main lessons for us.)