EXPLAINER: Who was Ninoy Aquino? Remembering his life and legacy

Today, August 21, the Philippines commemorates Ninoy Aquino Day, honoring the life and legacy of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

More than four decades after his death, Ninoy remains one of the most prominent figures in Philippine history.

But who was Ninoy Aquino?

Born on November 27, 1932, in Concepcion, Tarlac, Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was the second of seven children of Benigno Aquino Sr. and Aurora Lampa-Aquino.

Ninoy was a journalist, politician, senator, and one of the most staunch and prominent critics of the Marcos regime. He came from a prominent family with a long history in Philippine politics.

He was also known as the “Young Man in a Hurry” because of his remarkable accomplishments at a young age.

Ninoy's mother once suggested that perhaps he was always in a hurry because he knew his life would be short. He was a few months short of his 51st birthday when he was martyred on August 21, 1983.

At just 17 years old, Ninoy became one of the youngest war correspondents during the Korean War.

He later entered politics, becoming mayor of Concepcion at 22, followed by positions as vice governor and governor.

In 1967, at the age of 34, he was elected to the Senate, becoming the youngest elected senator at the time.

As a senator, Ninoy became a vocal critic of then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his administration. He accused the government of using “guns, goons, and gold” during elections and warned about the increasing militarization of the government.

After Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972, Ninoy was arrested and imprisoned along with other opposition leaders.

He faced charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms, and subversion before a military tribunal and was eventually sentenced to death in 1977.

After suffering a heart attack while in prison, he was allowed to travel to the United States for medical treatment in 1980. Even while abroad, Ninoy continued to speak out against the Marcos regime.

In 1981, he famously declared the poignant statement, “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

Despite warnings from his family and friends, Ninoy decided to return to the Philippines.

On August 21, 1983, he arrived at Manila International Airport, hoping to help resolve the country’s political crisis.

But shortly after stepping off his plane, Ninoy was shot and killed.

His assassination sparked widespread outrage and mourning, and fueled growing protests against the Marcos regime.

The Marcos government had said that Rolando Galman, described as an alleged communist hitman, shot Ninoy and was then killed by soldiers.

However, the Agrava Fact-Finding Board later concluded that the assassination was the result of a military conspiracy, contradicting the government’s version.

In 1990, the Sandiganbayan convicted 16 military personnel of murder and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua.

According to the ruling, based on witness testimonies, it was Rogelio Moreno who fired the fatal shot that killed Ninoy, not Galman.

Ninoy’s death did not end the opposition movement.

In 1985, Marcos called a snap presidential election, with Ninoy’s widow, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, challenging him for the presidency.

The disputed election further fueled public anger and eventually led to the People Power Revolution.

After several days of protests, Marcos and his family left Malacañang and went into exile in the United States.

More than four decades after his assassination, his legacy remains closely linked to the country’s struggle for democracy and freedom. –NB, GMA News