The Philippine Online Chronicles

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz on Saturday questioned the motive behind the proposal to rename the EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) to Cory Aquino Avenue, adding that it seemed like a move to get the favor of the administration.

“Don’t they have anything better to do than change the name of a street? Is that what they are elected for? If somebody will say to rename this or that to Cory is it trying to get the favor of the administration?” he said.

He also said, “We have so many problems in our country and yet our lawmakers are busying themselves with the renaming of a street (or road).”

Meanwhile, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said there are enough places that commemorate the former president.

Ongtioco, a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Permanent Council, said, “We have statues of Cory and Ninoy (former Sen. Benigno Aquino, Mrs. Aquino’s husband) in Luneta and in other places.”

Palace dismisses proposal

Malacañang through Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said it would be “self-serving” for President Benigno Aquino III to comment on the proposed legislation House Bill. No 5422 which was filed by Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos.

He added that Aquino is opposed to placing his name or image in billboards or any government projects.

House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II agreed, adding, "I think P-noy has so much delicadeza that he will not allow it although Tita Cory deserves it.”

Although seemingly harmless, House Bill 5422, which recognizes former president Corazon Aquino as an icon of democracy, had drawn flak from different political parties.

Besides the issue of being “self-serving,” House minority leader Edcel Lagman said, "EDSA must remain as EDSA to memorialize and immortalize the unrelenting collective efforts of the masses of Filipinos, particularly the workers, peasants and students, which culminated in the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship.”

While Aquino’s participation “cannot be commensurately recognized by renaming EDSA in her honor,” Lagman pointed out that the EDSA revolution was “people power,” a “triumphant uprising not of one person but of nameless and common Filipinos.”

"EDSA must not be changed as it is a constant reminder to the tyrannical tendencies of national leaders, now and in the future, and to uphold at all times the supremacy of the Constitution and the ascendency of the rule of law," Lagman said.

Nevertheless, Lacierda said Palace is not rejecting the bill for it is a “congressional initiative.”

“Let Congress decide on that,” he said.

Formerly known as Highway 54, EDSA was renamed in 1959 after renowned historian, journalist, painter and public servant Epifanio de los Santos.

During the Spanish colonization, De los Santos edited and founded the papers La Independencia, La Libertad, El Renacimiento and La Democracia.