Solon wants EDSA renamed Cory Aquino Avenue
November 24, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - From Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), a lawmaker wants Metro Manila's main circumferential road renamed Cory Aquino Avenue.
Bohol 1st District Rep. Rene Relampagos said his House Bill 5422 is in honor of the late President Corazon Aquino, democracy icon and the first woman president of the country.
Relampagos said that the former president is the leading figure in the historic 1986 People Power Revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines and a true icon of democracy.
The highway was constructed during the presidency of Manuel L. Quezon and named 19 de Junio or June 19 after the birth date of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal.
It was later renamed Highway 54 and renamed again in 1959 after Epifanio de los Santos, a noted Filipino historian.
Relampagos said the measure also seeks to repeal Republic Act 2140 changing the name of Highway 54 in the province of Rizal to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in honor of Don Epifanio de los Santos, a Filipino scholar, jurist and historian.
Relampagos said EDSA has become synonymous to the People Power Revolution or to democracy. The people's revolt is also dubbed as EDSA 1 as the historic ouster of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos happened on the main highway, which connects the six districts of Metro Manila.
"From being a simple housewife, she eventually became the nation's mother as she served as President. President Cory oversaw the promulgation of a new constitution, which limited the powers of the presidency and established a bicameral legislature," Relampagos said.
Relampagos said Cory's administration gave strong emphasis to civil liberties and human rights and her economic policies centered on bringing back economic stability and confidence and focused on creating a market-oriented and socially-responsible economy.
"President Aquino gained the respect, and certainly, the admiration, not only of the citizens of our country, but also of the world. She earned certain citations and was recognized internationally as a woman who helped pave the way for the restoration of democracy," Relampagos stressed.
Relampagos said one cannot think of the 1986 EDSA Revolution without thinking of Corazon Aquino. She lived her life fighting for democracy, as she goes out of her way to fight for justice and truth, peace and democracy.
"It would be a fitting tribute to former President C. Corazon Aquino, a woman of courage and valor, that EDSA, an avenue that became testament to the country’s love of democracy, be named after her," Relampagos said.
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