To avoid causing more traffic, the EDSA People Power 28th Anniversary on Feb. 25, 2014 will be celebrated in Malacanang Palace and not in the historic EDSA highway. Apart from leading the traditional flag raising rites, PNoy is also expected to hold a "Pulong-Bayan" to address the concerns of various sectors during the anniversary rites of EDSA. Previous anniversary celebrations of EDSA People Power were held in historic venues such as EDSA Shrine and the People Power Monument. The bloodless popular revolt led to the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986. Coloma said the flag raising and traditional "salubungan" of EDSA forces will be held at the Malacanang Palace. This year's EDSA celebration will carry the theme "Kapit Bisig Para sa Pagbangon". Asked if the president's critics are welcome to attend the EDSA affair at the Malacanang Palace, Coloma said they will announce more details about the event, including the list of individuals and groups that will be invited. In this year's EDSA anniversary celebration, Coloma noted that the government is trying to shift the spotlight to the bayanihan spirit of Pilipinos in times of calamities. He said they they wanted to focus on efforts to uplifting the lives of Pilipinos especially those enduring unjust poverty.
