MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called on the nation yesterday to learn the value of sacrifice and of working together for meaningful change.
In a message on the 27th death anniversary of his father, former senator and national hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President said, “The idea of setting aside one’s personal interest, comfort, convenience and even one’s freedom for the greater good was the lesson he (Ninoy) taught me and all of us who strive for a more just and caring society.”
He also said his administration would work hard to ensure that justice is achieved by everyone.
“The memory of his sacrifice should push us to pursue real and lasting change in our country where complete, correct and timely justice is a reality for all,” Mr. Aquino said.
Soldiers shot and killed Ninoy at the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport upon his arrival from self-exile in the US. His death eventually sparked a military-backed civilian uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and catapulted Ninoy’s widow Corazon to power in February 1986.
While officers and soldiers have been convicted for the assassination, the masterminds have never been identified and remain unpunished.
“It is very heartwarming to know that even after 27 years, my father’s memory is still alive in our hearts and minds. This is a clear indication that his sacrifice was not put to waste,” Mr. Aquino said after a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park where his parents are interred.
“Being a leader of our nation is no walk in the park. I have braced my own shoulders for the same responsibility that both my parents bore with honor and fervor. I can only hope that, as it was with them, the people will remain my fountain of strength as I continue to lead our country along the straight and righteous path,” the President added.
Mr. Aquino said challenges have remained and needed to be overcome.
“When my father was incarcerated, he sent me a letter. In his letter he said, ‘There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.’ These are the words that helped me as a public servant and these words will continue to guide me as I lead this country,” Mr. Aquino said.
“Perhaps working together for our country would be an ideal tribute to the man who loved his country until the end,” he said.
In his homily, Fr. Catalino Arevelo said the President needs the Lord’s guidance in his effort to build a “government of hope.”
Among those who attended the Mass were Vice President Jejomar Binay and Mr. Aquino’s running mate and former senator Manuel Roxas II.
Justice for all
Mr. Aquino also said justice would be a centerpiece of his administration.
“The focus of the fight should not be for my father but for the country (because) there are still people out there who want to oppress the public. This should be addressed to ensure justice for everybody,” Mr. Aquino said.
He said a form of justice is ensuring that the farmers who work hard tilling the land can enjoy the fruits of their labor or that the young get quality education.
He said justice should also mean punishing those responsible for crimes against the people, like the massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao.
The President admitted that as the only son in a brood of five, he had planned to avenge his father’s death.
He said it was not easy to accept that his father was shot in the back and “dragged like a pig” to a van that carried him on a roundabout route to hospital.
He said he drew enlightenment from the massive show of sympathy from the people during the wake and burial of his father.
Moving on
Mr. Aquino’s eldest sister, Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Cruz, said that 27 years after their father’s assassination, they have finally learned to forgive.
“Every time we commemorate his death anniversary, we are asked, ‘How are you? Do you still feel anger against those who killed your father?’ Like our mother, we have already forgiven them,” Cruz said in her speech during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ninoy-Cory Aquino Park in Ermita, Manila.
“Maybe the gunman was just obeying orders. We know who were in power during that time. It’s already in the past. Let us not think of the bad things that happened, instead let’s look at the positive thing that happened because of his martyrdom,” Cruz said.
But even if they had moved on, Cruz said their family was still hoping that the truth about the assassination would come out.
“We hope that one of those pardoned by former President (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo last year would be able to reveal what really happened that day,” she said. Arroyo pardoned the soldiers convicted for the murder of Ninoy and Rolando Galman.
“I hope that we will continue to push our country forward,” Cruz added.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said the people should always bear in mind the significance of commemorating Ninoy’s death.
“This is a good opportunity for us to remember what his name is about in history - the contribution that it had in our history. That one man who can set aside his own personal comfort, his interests, and even his life, can achieve greater good for the whole country,” he said.
“So if all of us will work together to do the right thing and to help each other out, I think the idea here is that we can build a better country together. For me, that is this day’s lesson,” Carandang said over radio station dzRB.
More than just votes
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, for his part, said the Filipinos’ support for President Aquino should not end with their voting him to power.
Lim, in his speech at the Ninoy-Cory Aquino Park, extolled the late senator and his wife, the late President Corazon Aquino, for their sacrifices.
The affair was also attended by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, National Historical Commission of the Philippines head Ambeth Ocampo, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission chief Gemma Cruz-Araneta, and city officials.
“I’m sure he (President Aquino) will not commit excesses or deviate from the good things started by his parents,” Lim said.
‘Free the 43’
Meanwhile, the Free the 43 Health Workers Alliance has asked President Aquino to remember his father’ death anniversary by ordering the release of the health workers detained by the military for alleged links to communist guerillas.
In a press statement, alliance spokesman Carlos Montemayor said Mr. Aquino should be familiar with the plight of the 43 health workers since his own father had also been a detainee during the Marcos regime.
“This is an apt remembrance of the martyrdom of Ninoy and the heroism and sacrifice of many political activists who fought against Marcos’ repressive rule during the days of Martial Law. This is also an opportune moment to call for the release of the Morong 43 and to remind President Aquino of his responsibilities to uphold human rights,” the statement read.
The alliance maintained that the 43 detainees were community health workers and not rebels.
“President Aquino should learn from his family’s personal and the collective history of many other victims of human rights violations. Including Benigno Aquino, most of the victims then were targets of political witch hunt and was repeated in the case of the Morong 43,” Montemayor added.
“The public expects from President Aquino to be more cognizant of the human rights abuses and to concretely address these issues,” he said.
“There is moral victory in doing what is right and if he truly wants to remember his father’s heroism, he should defend and uphold human rights,” Montemayor added. - With Sheila Crisostomo, Sandy Araneta and Aie Balagtas See - By Aurea Calica
