Former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday cited the inspiring life and struggles of former Sen, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who was assassinated at the then Manila International Airport 37 years ago.
“Today, as we endure yet another dark night, we draw inspiration from Ninoy’s story,” Robredo said.
“Every year, on August 21, we remember Senator Ninoy Aquino. We remember his death: How he was murdered before he even set foot on the tarmac, coming home from exile to continue the struggle for our freedoms and dignities,” Robredo said in a statement.
Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
“We remember why he was killed: For speaking truth to power. For believing that we deserve better as a people. For hoping, and acting on that hope, and being brave enough to lay down his life for that hope,” she added.
But most of all, Filipinos remember what Aquino’s death meant for the entire nation on this date, said Robredo.
“Sa halip na matakot, lalo tayong tumapang. Sa halip na sumuko, nagkaisa tayo at tumindig,” she noted.
(Instead of being cowed, we became braver. Instead of yielding, we united and stood up.)
Robredo pointed out that with the death of Aquino, Filipinos began to realize how they are all bound together, even more tightly during times of oppression, suffering, and crisis.
“Namulat tayong magkakarugtong ang diwa natin—na ang sistemang kayang pumaslang sa isa ay sistemang kayang pumaslang sa lahat,” she said.
(We realized that we are one—that a system that can kill one can kill all.)
She said that with this realization, Filipinos found solidarity and the strength to take the first steps to a freer, fairer, more humane society, as well as hope and courage to stake our lives on that hope just as Aquino did, said Robredo.
Robredo likewise noted that Aquino believed in a better future for Filipinos even when it was not easy.
“Through long years of imprisonment, separation from his family, suffering, and exile, he clung to the unshakeable belief that the dark night would pass and dawn would break over the land he loved,” she said.
“This is a sentiment that we all hold— that things should be better, and things can get better. Our strength as a nation emanates from our collective resolve to do what we can to move towards this better horizon,” she added.
“Today, as we endure yet another dark night, we draw inspiration from Ninoy’s story: From his courage, from his steadfast faith in our people, from his heroism. Kaisa ako ng buong sambayanang Pilipino sa paggunita sa kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino,” Robredo concluded.
(I am one with the Filipinos in remembering the heroism of Ninoy Aquino.)
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