Urban poor group marks Ninoy Aquino Day in Bacolod

BACOLOD CITY–Close to 100 members of the Federation of Urban Poor (FedUP) waving Philippine flags and yellow ribbons gathered early Thursday, August 21, along Araneta Street here to lay flowers at the statue of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., marking his 43rd death anniversary.

The annual gathering, held on the national non-working holiday commemorating Aquino’s 1983 assassination, served as a platform for the group to reflect on the late leader’s legacy and call for principled leadership in present-day public governance.

During the event, FedUP president emeritus Noel Quillain delivered a speech emphasizing the late senator’s “indomitable spirit” and comparing his sacrifices to current sociopolitical issues in the country.

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READ: Pangilinan, Aquino: Ninoy’s fight far from over

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Quillain quoted Aquino’s pledge made prior to his return from exile: “While I have vowed never to enter the political arena again, I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the restoration of freedom and dismantlement of your martial law.”

“For me, this should be the core message of today’s commemoration—courage and an indomitable spirit,” Quillain told the attendees.

In his address, Quillain criticized public officials who evade legal accountability, citing instances of leaders fleeing international warrants, avoiding investigations, and skipping legislative proceedings. He pointed to these behaviors as signs of political corruption and systemic moral decay.

“Too bad, so sad, we have leaders corrupted by money and power,” Quillain said, warning against the normalization of corrupt governance.

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“What makes me sad or more worrisome is the normalization of this kind of corrupt character,” he said.

Quillain also highlighted community-level issues, expressing concern over rising violence involving young people on school campuses, which he characterized as lingering fallout from previous periods of unchecked extrajudicial violence. He further warned against the spread of misinformation, violent media content, and vote-selling.

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“Corruption, killings, untruthfulness, injustices… These are the manifestations not just of our moral bankruptcy as Filipinos but of losing our humanity,” Quillain said

Quillain pointed  to the need to uphold ethical standards, particularly during elections. “We need to be reminded always to stand, insist, and work for what is right, just, and truth,” he said. “We must elect leaders with values like that of Ninoy. We should stop selling our votes during elections. We must start there.”

Ninoy Aquino Day is observed nationally on August 21 to commemorate Aquino’s assassination at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport). 

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His martyrdom ignited massive protests against the administration of then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., culminating in the 1986 People Power Revolution. INQ /mr