Role of ICT in EDSA Dos

The Edsa Revolution of 2001, also called by the local media as EDSA II (pronounced as Edsa Dos) or the Second People Power Revolution is the common name of the four-day popular revolution that peacefully overthrew Philippine President Joseph Estrada in January 2001. He was succeeded by his then vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

On the other hand, a new information and communication technology (ICT)- the mobile phone was the symbol of People Power II Revolution in the Philippines. Arguably, the most lasting image of Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's new Presidency was when, on being asked in a news conference whether a Lt. Gen. Espinosa was planning a coup, She called him up on her mobile phone. In moment of high drama she asked him directly if this was the case and after a brief conversation reported it wasn't.

Mobile phones Technology was not just critical in the day preceding People Power II; It had been important over a number of months. In spring last year. Estrada ordered key government agencies to do something about alleged text-message abusing him. The same week, texters stated passing around messages using an exclamation mark as a symbol to call for an end to the estrada government's corruption, cronyism and incompetence.

  

Normally used for brief and frivolous communications, the public outrage at the breakdown of the impeachment, the degree of ownership of mobile phones and the networking potential of text messages combined to ensure the Philippines was the location of the first political revolution facilitated by modern ICTs. In the week of People Power II, Philippine Mobile handled over 70 million text messages! As reuters reported on January 24th, technology literally put the power in Filipino people's hand.

ICTs are unlikely to change the main principle of politics. But in particular in less established democracies, this is unlikely to be the last time that the stunning advances in ICTs play a crucial role in helping the people remove a bad leader. The people of the Philippines will have shown one way and for that are should thank the "Text Brigade".

Credits: Julius Court