Thursday, August 6, 2009

Cory Aquino: From housewife to president

Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine president Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who died Saturday at the age of 76, was a reluctant leader despite guiding her nation through a revolution that restored it to democracy in 1986.

For three days in February of that year, the world watched as the woman in a bright yellow dress led millions in a peaceful uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled with an iron fist for two decades.

During the next six years, Aquino – a devout Roman Catholic – changed the country's Constitution. She also overhauled the election process, released political dissidents and engaged insurgents in dialogue.

But her presidency was marred by at least six failed military coups, political squabbling, insurgent attacks and her failure to change a political system dominated by elite family clans.

Time magazine made Aquino its woman of the year in 1986, the year she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2006 named her one of Asia's heroes.

The magazine praised her "quiet courage," describing her as "the symbol of People Power and an inspiration to others around the world struggling against tyranny."

The 76-year-old Aquino, who suffered from colon cancer, reportedly refused further medical treatment after she was admitted to a Manila hospital in late June, with family members by her side and the country praying for her recovery.

US President Barack Obama led international reaction to Aquino's death, describing her as a historic figure.

Obama "was deeply saddened" by news of Aquino's death, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

"Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines," the statement read.

Singapore's foreign ministry called her a "remarkable woman" who would be remembered for her devotion to her friends.

Born into the Cojuangco clan in the northern province of Tarlac on January 25, 1933, Aquino was a product of privilege, power and wealth.

Educated in the United States and Manila, she entertained no political ambitions – but all that changed when she met and married Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, a bright young journalist from another prominent Tarlac clan, in 1954.

Ninoy was seen by many as a president in the making but for Marcos the then-senator was a threat. In September 1972, Marcos declared martial law and jailed hundreds of his opponents and critics, including Ninoy, who subsequently went into exile for medical reasons.

Corazon Aquino helped keep the opposition alive, speaking out on behalf of her husband and demanding change.

In 1983, against the advice of friends, Ninoy flew back to the Philippines from exile in Boston to seek an audience with the ailing Marcos. He was gunned down by assassins as he stepped off the plane.

His grief-stricken widow flew back to the Philippines, where she was quickly thrust into the role of uniting the opposition.

"I don't seek vengeance, only justice, not only for Ninoy but for the suffering Filipino people," Aquino declared as she reluctantly accepted the nomination of her peers.

After Marcos won the 1986 elections, which were marred by massive irregularities, the Aquino-led opposition, backed by the Catholic Church, soon rallied about one million people on the streets.

"People Power" was born, Marcos was ousted and forced to flee and Aquino took the presidential oath of office.

She quickly set up a commission to draft a new constitution, dismantled the network of Marcos cronies that controlled the economy and freed scores of political activists.

Aquino also began talks with communist and Muslim insurgents but her efforts would soon be undermined by problems within the coalition government she built. She later survived a series of bloody coup attempts.

In retirement, and until her illness, Aquino remained in the public eye, often speaking out against alleged abuses in government.

She became a vocal critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose family has been accused of massive corruption, and joined street protests against Arroyo until she was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year.

In the 1990s, Aquino said the presidency had taught her a valuable lesson in governance.

"I realized that I could have made things easier for myself if I had done the popular things, rather than the painful but better ones in the long run. After all, in the long run, I wouldn't be around to be blamed," she said.

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We will never forget Cory, the mother of democracy...a strong and a great woman!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest

By Dona Pazzibugan, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—One by one, friends, family members, employees of former President Corazon Aquino paid tribute to her through anecdotes, painting a picture of a woman who eschewed the trappings and temptations of her office and who was steadfast in her faith and service to the people.

During the three-hour necrological service at Manila Cathedral Tuesday, 19 people gave their heartfelt tributes, most of them ending up sobbing along with the audience.

Ms Aquino’s four daughters especially the youngest, Kris, openly cried upon hearing the tributes. Her only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was able to hold back from sobbing.

The senator spoke last, summarizing previous speakers’ testimonials.

He recounted how his mother insisted on going to Fort Bonifacio during the Marines standoff in February 2006, at the height of the protests against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations that she cheated during the 2004 elections.

The senator said he was opposed to the idea of his mother joining the chaos in Fort Bonifacio, where tanks and heavily armed soldiers were on standby.

But his mother won in the end. Noynoy recalled her saying: “It is my obligation to go there. It is my obligation to prevent bloodshed.”

When he and the former President arrived near the gates of the military camp, they found the people agitated.

“When she arrived, she took out her rosary and started praying. The people calmed down,” the senator said.

He told the crowd at the cathedral that he chose this story because it encapsulated everything about his mother.

“This was the loving Cory, who’s ready to do what is right despite the consequences and who has full faith in God. She believed in doing whatever we can and letting God do the rest,” Noynoy said in Filipino.

Swipe at political mess

The senator took a swipe at the political situation, saying there seemed to be no change in the country. The former President had been a vocal critic of Ms Arroyo.

“When I see the state this country is in—there are people who follow the law, who strive to study to be better, who are true to their fellowmen and are still asking ‘Why are we still in need?’ It hurts,” Noynoy said.

“There are those who fought before us. But we are still here, fighting,” he added.

There’s hope

On behalf of his family, Noynoy thanked the people who gathered in the streets to bid her mother farewell when her casket was transferred on Monday to the cathedral from the La Salle Green Hills stadium in Mandaluyong City.

He apologized to those who were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the former President’s remains.

The senator said he was struck by how children, who did not see the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and her mother’s presidency, expressed gratitude to his late mother.

“These were elementary children. They said ‘Thank You, Tita Cory,’” he said. This is proof that there is still “hope” for the country, according to Aquino’s only son.

Fought good fight

At the end of his speech, the senator said of his mother: “I really truly believed without an iota of doubt that you fought the good fight, finished the course, and undoubtedly kept the faith.”

Former employees and friends of the late President said they were struck by her humility and simplicity, even while she was the leader of the country.

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Cory Aquino will forever remain in the hearts and minds of every filipino for the restoring back democracy in the Philippines.