FVR fine with small EDSA celebration planned by Duterte admin, but...

People Power icon, former president Fidel V. Ramos said he is fine with a modest celebration of the EDSA uprising this year.

Ramos, who launched his biography today, said he doesn't mind a modest commemoration of the historic revolt as long as the Duterte administration promises to build an EDSA learning center by next year.

Malacañang earlier said it planned to mark the 31st anniversary of the EDSA uprising 'with dignity,' but has yet to release details of its plans for the event.

But according to Ramos, the public must also be understanding of the government’s lack of information regarding the anniversary of the People Power uprising next week

“We must understand the realities now, kaya sa ngayon wala pang lumalabas na patakaran o guideline man lang o traffic plan, eh kasi they are not on top of the problem. We must give them a little leeway, as long as they promise to do a good job next year,” Ramos said.

He added that the government might commemorate the People Power Revolution in Camp Aguinaldo instead of EDSA, to avoid causing a traffic jam in the major Metro Manila artery.

Ramos said he has spoken with the administration regarding the construction of an EDSA Learning Center behind the People Power Monument along EDSA.

“Ang sabi ko doon sa EDSA People Power Commission headed by Sec. Bingbong Medialdea, na next year, eh dapat mayroon na tayong EDSA Learning Center at the back of the People Power Monument. They can make an announcement this year,” Ramos said. 

He also revealed that plans for the museum and information resource center were made as far back as the 1990s, but were not carried out due to lack of funds.

Earlier on Wednesday, a book written by the Ramos family’s biographer Mel Velasco was launched in Makati. Containing personal trivia and anecdotes, “FVR XYZ Files” aims to shed more light on the life of Ramos, including controversies that hounded his term as president of the Philippines.

Inspired by the TV show "The X-Files," Ramos said the "FVR XYZ Files" also revealed "hidden secrets" about his presidency.

“There are a lot of hidden secrets between the lines, especially what went on in blue ribbon hearings, congressional oversight commissions, and behind the lines in Camp Crame,” he said.