"Many Filipinos believe our peaceful EDSA “People Power” revolution in February, 1986, served as inspiration for peoples of the Middle East and North Africa who demanded and fought for long-suppressed freedoms. Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and Yemen were able to effect regime change from protracted dictatorship in what is now called the “Arab Spring.” No matter how benign, authoritarianism won’t work in a diverse, democratic society like the Philippines. The Marcos regime was overthrown by the combination of valiant, God-fearing people and a rebellious but professional military component. The winds of change energized by the “Arab Spring,” wiped out despots, no matter how deeply entrenched. While the common denominator of such regime changes was that leaders stayed in power too long and trampled on people’s rights, it was only in the Philippines where democratic transition took place without violence and bloodshed."- FVR, Former Phil President

Waging Peace And Winning Development | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "Violent uprisings – as happened in Latin America, and are still seething in Africa and the Middle East – we must make unnecessary. For their part, Filipinos must not allow their political processes, democratic institutions and elected leadership ever to fail again.

Filipinos, surely, are justified in trumpeting their unique “people power revolution Philippine-style.” But, people power cannot again and again substitute for durable democratic institutions as safeguards against corruption, impunity, cronyism, and incompetence.

Building strong political institutions buttressed by social justice and competitiveness requires unceasing, consistent effort."

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