Marcos urges Filipinos: Draw courage, conviction from Ninoy’s legacy

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday commemorated Ninoy Aquino Day by encouraging the Filipinos to draw from the legacy of the late senator in fighting for the country’s freedom and pushing for a progressive nation. 

Marcos said that Aquino’s legacy is a reminder of the Filipinos’ courage to uphold convictions and contribute to the country’s democratic process. He also underscored that this day reaffirms the nation’s collective duty to live with honor and dignity.

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“Ninoy Aquino Day, therefore, invites us to acknowledge the past and draw from it the resolve needed to safeguard freedom, strengthen our institutions, and deepen national unity,” Marcos said in a post.

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Aquino, a staunch critic of the dictatorship of Marcos’ late father and namesake, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was assassinated on August 21, 1983 at the then Manila International Airport as he returned to the country from exile in the United States of America. 

His death triggered outrage among many Filipinos against the Marcos Sr.’s administration, which eventually became one of the reasons for the historic 1986 People Power Revolution that  toppled the dictatorship. 

Marcos then pointed out the evolving challenges that our democracy faces, citing disinformation, distrust, and civic indifference. Despite these, he said that such obstacles show the importance of active engagement in the nation’s affairs. 

“Ninoy’s legacy encourages us to meet these challenges with vigilance and faith in the Filipino people as we work together to deliver meaningful progress for all,” Marcos added.

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The President then committed that his administration will continue to protect the country’s sovereignty and ensure that the Filipinos are provided with equal opportunities. 

“Together, let us carry forward the lessons of our history as we continue to nurture a more peaceful and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas,” he concluded. /mr