Remember Ninoy, Palace urges Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - On the eve of the 31st death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., Malacañang urged Filipinos to remember his “supreme sacrifice” and learn how they could serve the country.

“Thirty-one years ago, Ninoy Aquino came home to prove that the Filipino is worth dying for. He joined the ranks of the martyrs who stood for our national freedom and integrity: Jose Rizal, Jose Abad Santos and Ninoy Aquino’s fellow victims of martial law,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement released yesterday.

He said Aquino’s sacrifice began three years of sustained people power efforts to bring back democracy through peaceful means.

“As we pause in prayer and reflection, the public could revisit Ninoy’s undelivered arrival statement and let us pledge to transmit his thoughts and the reasons he took his fateful stand to the generations who were not yet around in 1983, but who continue to enjoy the freedom of choice, thought, and expression that he fought and died for, and which characterizes our country today,” Lacierda said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also urged the Filipino youth to draw inspiration from the heroism of Ninoy and “let his shining example animate them to carve a better future for our country.”

He said Ninoy gave his life for the Filipino people and “out of the dark night of the dictatorship,” his supreme sacrifice lighted the path that led Filipinos back to democracy.

“Even in the face of violent persecution, he was a staunch advocate of truth, reason and justice,” he said.

In a TV5 interview aired Sunday night, President Aquino said the “best compliment” he would get from his parents is “when the two of them would smile at me.”

“It’s not their style to say ‘you’re good, you accomplished a lot’,” he said.

“They both guided us properly but they would also push you to the best of your abilities,” he said.

Ninoy Aquino medal of valor award

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay will receive today the Ninoy Aquino medal of valor award in ceremonies to be held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 departure curve.

Binay was among the human rights lawyers who defended Ninoy during his subversion trial during the martial law regime.

The late President Corazon Aquino appointed Binay as officer-in-charge of Makati after the Edsa Revolution.

Under the current administration, Binay is presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers concerns and chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council. –With Jose Rodel Clapano