The Legacy of Cory Aquino

Adulations for late former president Cory Aquino abound following her demise to colon cancer on August 1. Much has been said regarding her contributions as the unassuming but iconic figure who rallied the Filipinos to brazenly rise against an oppressive dictatorship and restore democracy to the nation in 1986. And while some political circles have of late been dismissing Mrs. Aquino as politically irrelevant, her legacy as both opposition leader and president will prove inarguable by any measure.

Indeed, groups running the entire breadth of the Philippine political landscape have expressed their solidarity with the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of Mrs. Aquino. No other time in my recollection have we as a nation spoke with a single voice of lament: a rare display of unity for a people used to discordant opinions on politics and its leaders.

From cause-oriented groups to learning institutions, all have expressed their regret for the death of a great leader. Even the NDFP issued a message lauding Mrs. Aquino for being openly critical of US-support for the Marcos dictatorship as well as for fulfilling her commitment to release all political prisoners and engaging in peace negotiations upon assuming the presidency.

Leftist group KMU also honored the late former president: “We in the Kilusang Mayo Uno join the people in mourning the passing of former President Corazon Aquino. Mrs. Aquino became the leading figure in the people’s uprising against the fascist US-Marcos regime.”

The AFP, from which nine botched coup attempts were mounted against her presidency, had this to say: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines are also indebted to Her Excellency for it was under her administration that the military institution started a long process of self-review and assessment…Her presidency was a shining moment in our country and in our armed forces’ history when the military regained its moral footing, recaptured its place in the constitutional order, and re-committed itself to preserving our democratic system.”

The ARMM expressed gratitude: “The former president will be remembered by the Moro people as the progenitor of Muslim autonomy, whose consultative approach in addressing the quest for self-governance led to the creation in 1989 of what is now the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

The family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos also condoled with the Aquino family. “My family joins our nation in mourning the death of former president Corazon Aquino. We would also like to convey our deepest and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Aquino. May they find strength in this time of loss,” read a statement by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Ultimately, Mrs. Aquino deserves all that has been said in her honor these past few days. More than ever, her legacy speaks to us with urgency. Because in the end it is up to us Filipinos to cherish and protect the freedoms and democratic institutions that we enjoy now and that she won for us.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

She was a global icon of democracy. I just hope we honor the woman by cherishing her advocacy

kasaganaan said...

Cory Aquino is a legend. She is beyond politics. She is beyond religiosity.

She showed what it meant to be fully human.

I am just grateful that God made her a Filipina.

dina said...

No one compares to her. Siya na ang pinakamagaling na president natin!

Anonymous said...

So Mike, what did you do to honor her?

Anonymous said...

Cory's legacy and greatness are the kind that people like Willie Revillame will never experience, thus he wouldn't understand.

"Di po maganda. Nagsasaya kami dito habang nagluluksa ang sambayanang Pilipino. Di ko magagampanan ang pagpapatawa habang ipinapakita ang libing ng dating president."

This is not just pathetic, this is disgusting.

Hope you people in power can do something about him. It seems the abscbn cannot.

Anonymous said...

Cory's legacy and greatness are the kind that people like Willie Revillame will never experience, thus he wouldn't understand.

"Di po maganda. Nagsasaya kami dito habang nagluluksa ang sambayanang Pilipino. Di ko magagampanan ang pagpapatawa habang ipinapakita ang libing ng dating president."

This is not just pathetic, this is disgusting.

Hope you people in power can do something about him. It seems the abscbn cannot.

    Kay tamis ng ating samahan sa lungkot at kaligayahan. Tunay na kaibigan, kasamang maaasahan. Salamat at tayo'y may pinagsamahan. Salamat, tunay kong kaibigan

    (Salamat, by The Dawn)

    Mike has always been dear to us since we were kids. He’s a good friend who came running when we needed him. Mike was the go-to guy even before he became Cong. Mike, and then Sec. Defensor. Many of us knew he was destined for public service. Mike was the consummate politician, a trait he developed since grade school. We thought he would go on to become president, if he didn’t disappoint the fickle Filipino public.

    But it seems he has. So much so that he is vilified by the media at every opportunity. His actions are always placed within the perspective of his relationship with an unpopular president. Justifiable, though harsh.

    So we set up this blog. Some of us have worked with him and have seen him make what we thought were good decisions. But some of us were also there when we thought he made wrong ones. But that is how a man is made -- by the choices he makes.

    As his friends, the best we can do is stand by him and try to help everyone else see things from a different light.