IT’S been 43 years since former senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. was assassinated as he returned from exile in hopes of prodding a dictatorship toward democratic restoration.
And on the anniversary of his martyrdom that unleashed protests leading to a dictator’s ouster, no less than the only son and namesake of former President Ferdinand Marcos led the nation in marking his death.
In a statement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on every Filipino to emulate the example of Aquino, Jr. of being involved in safeguarding the country’s freedom by combatting its modern-day threats, including disinformation, division, distrust, and civic indifference.
‘Ninoy’s legacy encourages us to meet these challenges with vigilance and faith in the Filipino people as we work together to deliver meaningful progress for all,’ Marcos said in a statement during Ninoy Aquino Day Friday.
‘This day reaffirms that freedom carries with it a collective duty to respect the dignity and rights of others and to contribute to the good of our nation,’ he added.
The chief executive assured the people his administration will also play its part in nation-building by continuing to protect the country’s sovereignty, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that each Filipino continues to enjoy liberty and opportunities.
‘Together, let us carry forward the lessons of our history as we continue to nurture a more peaceful and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas. May we all have a solemn and purposeful remembrance,’ Marcos said.
Aquino was the political rival and staunch critic of Marcos’s father, former President Marcos. His death propelled his widow Corazon C. Aquino to the presidency after the 1986 Edsa revolt; and 24 years later, his only son Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, called ‘Noynoy,’ was himself elected President.
The former senator was assassinated on August 21 in 1983 at the then called Manila International Airport, which was later renamed after him. His death galvanized a fragmented opposition in the country and those exiled abroad, with massive protests culminating in the 4-day peaceful revolt at Edsa.
In 2004, Congress passed into law Republic Act 9256 declaring every August 21 as national non-working holiday to commemorate the event.
Despite the martyred senator’s role in opposing his father, President Marcos recognized that Aquino’s legacy should be commemorated since he played a crucial role in safeguarding freedom, strengthening institutions, and deepening national unity.
‘Ninoy’s legacy encourages us to meet these challenges with vigilance and faith in the Filipino people as we work together to deliver meaningful progress for all,’ he said.
Other leaders weigh in
Earlier on Thursday, the first to issue a statement was former House Deputy Majority Leader and three-term Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, who was among a handful of opposition lawmakers in the Interim Batasang Pambansa in 1984.
On Friday, commemorative statements were issued by Senators Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Aquinos’ political party the LP, and Ninoy Aquino’s nephew Sen. Bam Aquino.
According to Pangilinan, Ninoy offered his life not just to free people from a dictatorship. ‘He also offered it for the dream of seeing us truly free-from hunger, poverty, subjugation by powerful countries and from being victims of fake news,’ Pangilinan said, in Filipino.
August 21, he said, should thus be celebrated not just on the day itself, but ‘every day, because the struggle Ninoy faced is still very much alive today: those greedy for power, and those abusing human rights,’ among others.
The hardest part to understand in Aquino’s patriotism and decision to return in 1983, said Bam Aquino, is this: ‘hindi mo minamahal ang Pilipinas dahil sigurado kang may kapalit. Hindi ka naninindigan dahil alam mong mananalo ka. At hindi ka naglilingkod dahil sigurado kang kikilalanin ka. Ginagawa mo ito dahil naniniwala kang karapat-dapat ipaglaban ang Pilipino, kahit hindi mo alam kung ano ang naghihintay sa iyo.’
This, he said, underscores the martyred senator’s famous line, ‘The Filipino is worth dying for.’