By Michael Maghinay | August 21, 2024
"A Filipino is worth dying for."
Ninoy Aquino’s work as a politician and his tragic death helped bring about a major change in the Philippines, which ended the Marcos dictatorship and established him as a key figure in the country’s journey to democracy.
Aquino began his political career at a young age. He held various local government positions before becoming the youngest senator in the Philippines at 34 years old in 1967. During his term, which lasted until 1972, Aquino quickly emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the then president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. According to a study by Santos, using his platform in the Senate, he denounced the administration's corruption and human rights. His legislative work was instrumental in challenging the Marcos regime and advocating for a more democratic and transparent government.
Despite being imprisoned during the Martial Law era from 1972 to 1980, his political influence remained strong. As mentioned by Cruz, Aquino's leadership extended beyond his time in the Senate when he founded the opposition party, Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN), and continued to resist Marcos' authoritarian rule even from prison. His steadfast commitment to democracy as well as his resistance against the ongoing dictatorship during his time played a crucial role in galvanizing public sentiment against the Marcos regime.
This enduring legacy of Aquino's fight for democracy and justice was vividly demonstrated through the People Power Revolution that followed his assassination. His death on August 21, 1983, became a pivotal moment in Philippine history; triggering a wave of resistance that ultimately restored democracy to the country. As noted by Cruz in a recent article, "Ninoy Aquino’s death became the spark that ignited a people’s revolution, forever shaping the democratic landscape of the Philippines.”
In recent developments, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. made a notable change regarding the observance of Ninoy Aquino Day. He moved the holiday from August 21 to August 23, 2024, as part of a long weekend aimed at boosting domestic tourism. In an article by Ranara, Marcos Jr. emphasized that the change was not meant to diminish the importance of the holiday, stating that "the historical significance of the event remains intact, regardless of when it is celebrated.” Additionally, this shift prompted the Aquino family to respond, asserting that "moving a day of commemoration will not diminish the fact that Ninoy died fighting for the country and the people he so loved, and his death sparked a revolution that ended Marcos Sr.'s authoritarian rule.”
Today, Filipinos commemorate Ninoy Aquino Day in recognition of both his contributions as a national hero and his legacy as a family man who prioritized his family and country.
Layout by Ashanty Bricenio
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