VP Robredo: Ninoy’s life should inspire nation amid another dark night

The life and death of the Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. should inspire Filipinos to speak truth to power amid yet another dark night for the country, Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday.

Robredo made the call in her message commemorating the 37th death anniversary of Aquino who was assassinated upon his arrival in what was then the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.

Aquino was a known critic of then-President Ferdinand Marcos.

Aquino’s assassination sparked widespread protests against the Marcos regime which culminated in the People Power Revolution on February 25, 1986. The uprising catapulted Aquino’s widow Corazon in the presidency.

“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. 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,” Robredo said.

“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 added.

Aquino’s hope amid oppression, suffering and crisis, Robredo said, is something that the nation should take cue from to fight for a better future.

“We remember what his death meant. Sa halip na matakot, lalo tayong tumapang. Sa halip na sumuko, nagkaisa tayo at tumindig. Ninoy 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.

“Namulat tayong magkakarugtong ang diwa natin— na ang sistemang kayang pumaslang sa isa ay sistemang kayang pumaslang sa lahat. We found solidarity; we found the strength to take the first steps towards a freer, fairer, more humane society; we found hope, and the courage to stake our lives on that hope, just as he did. This is a sentiment that we all hold— that things should be better, and things can get better,” she added. — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News