Senators honor Ninoy Aquino on his 38th death anniversary

Several senators honored democracy icon former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on his 38th death anniversary.

In a Saturday statement, Liberal Party President Senator Francis Pangilinan said Aquino’s death should prompt Filipinos to rekindle their love for the country.

“Paghugutan natin ng lakas ang ipinakitang katapangan ni dating Senador Ninoy upang isulong ang kapakanan ng bansa at ituloy ang pakikipaglaban para sa demokrasya, lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng pandemya,” he said.

(Let us draw strength from the bravery that former Senator Ninoy had shown in the fight for the country's welfare and continue fighting for our democracy, especially amidst this pandemic.)

“Magsilbi rin sana bilang inspirasyon ang kahanga-hangang ipinamalas na sakripisyo ni Ninoy sa bansa kung saan inialay niya ang kanyang buhay para makamit ang demokrasya na ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan,” he added.

(Ninoy’s sacrifice should also serve as an inspiration as he gave his life to attain the freedom we are enjoying today.)

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros also remembered Aquino for being a man who was true to his famous quote that the “Filipino was worth dying for.”

“I will never forget the tragedy and the inspiration of Ninoy’s death as we must not forget the many who have died for us. Deaths like these are built on extraordinary hope and unwavering love for the Filipino,” she said.

“Ito’y mga kamatayang bumuhay sa bansang nagkaisa laban sa diktador. Mga kamatayang bumuhay sa nasyonalismo, ng ating pagmamahal sa bayan at kapwa Pilipino,” she added.

(These deaths made the country unite and stand against a dictator. These are the deaths that revived our nationalism, love for country, and love for our fellow Filipinos.)

On the other hand, Senator Joel Villanueva recalled an excerpt from one of Ninoy’s letters to his son late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III: “The only advice I can give you - live with honor and follow your conscience.”

Today, on Ninoy Aquino day, we remember the words he wrote to his son Noynoy, then a teenager who was thrust to be the man of the house. Sen Ninoy would be proud how PNoy lived up to these words. #NinoyAquinoDay #ProudPinoy #LabanPilipinas???????? pic.twitter.com/PHhS6gMXiu

— Joel Villanueva (@senatorjoelv) August 21, 2021

Meanwhile, Senator Manny Pacquiao reminded the public not to forget the “martyred” Aquino’s sacrifices in the fight against government officials' abuse and corruption.

“Huwag sana nating kalimutan ang sakrpisyo ni Ninoy. Siya ay namatay sa kanyang paninindigan na labanan ang malawakang pang-aabuso at korapsyon sa ating pamahalaan.”

(Let us not forget Ninoy’s sacrifices. He died standing up against abuse and widespread corruption in our government.)

Non-profit orgs

Various non-profit organizations also held their own commemoration.

"I personally felt that Ninoy's story is the story of the Philippines as well. By this I don't mean that he is the personification of the Philippines. But more because the issues that define him define the Philippines as well," said writer Carlo Santiago in a memorial conversation co-organized by the non-profit organization The Conscience Collective.

"This is what I have learned from the life of Senator Ninoy. Senator Ninoy was able to extend the sanctity of voting in the latter part of his life. The pinnacle was his death itself," said Ateneo de Manila University political science professor Arjan Aguirre at the same forum.

"If you will ask me why the idea of suffrage was extended in the life of Ninoy? "My answer is this: Suffrage is not just exercising the duty to vote as mentioned in the Constitution. Suffrage should also mean presenting oneself as a choice or an option. That was what Senator Ninoy did during his time. Senator Ninoy even went far to that point wherein he was willing to offer his life, and he did," added Aguirre. — with Jamil Santos/DVM/MDM, GMA News