Forty-three years after the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Senator Bam Aquino urged Filipinos to hold on to his uncle’s faith in the country and refuse to give in to hopelessness.
Aquino, along with Senator Francis Pangilinan, issued the call Friday as the country commemorated Ninoy Aquino Day, saying his legacy remains relevant in the face of abuses and challenges confronting the nation.
Aquino recalled visiting his uncle during his years in detention and hearing a joke that he only understood more deeply as he grew older.
“Kuwento ng mga magulang ko, tuwing dinadalaw raw namin si Tito Ninoy, lagi niyang biro: Paul at Melanie, iwan niyo na si Bam dito para may kasama naman ako*,” Aquino said.
He said Ninoy spent seven years and seven months in detention, separated from his family, but continued to hold on to his faith in God and his trust in the Filipino people.
Aquino said that faith helped explain Ninoy’s decision to return to the Philippines in 1983 despite the risks he faced.
He said the decision gave deeper meaning to Ninoy’s declaration that “The Filipino is worth dying for,” which reflected his belief in the worth of Filipinos even during uncertain times.
“Apatnapu’t tatlong taon na ang lumipas, pero ito marahil ang pinakamahalagang pamana ni Tito Ninoy sa akin: Huwag mawalan ng pag-asa sa Pilipino,” Aquino said.
Pangilinan, meanwhile, said commemorating Ninoy should go beyond ceremonies and monuments.
“Para kay Ninoy, mas mabigat ang mawalan ng bayan kaysa mawalan ng buhay,” Pangilinan said.
He said honoring Ninoy’s sacrifice requires Filipinos to defend democratic institutions, demand accountability from public officials who abuse their authority and put public welfare above personal and political interests.
“Hindi pa tapos ang laban, pero patuloy tayong lalaban. Iyan ang pinakamagandang parangal na maisusukli natin sa kanya,” Pangilinan said.
Republic Act 9256, signed in 2004, declared Aug. 21 of every year as Ninoy Aquino Day to commemorate the former senator’s death.
Photo courtesy of Tatler Asia
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