Statement of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Partido Liberal president, on 9th death anniversary of President Cory
Today we remember the ninth year since former President Corazon Aquino passed away. It has been almost a decade since she left us, but her legacy remains firm in our hearts and minds.
For us who spent our youth under the rule of a dictator, President Cory was a symbol of a new day. She was a woman of strength and had done right by her duty to country. It was by no means an easy choice — but she, like all people fighting for our freedom back then, chose what is right. Now, we face similar choices as we continue to battle against tyranny and age-old injustices.
Last Saturday, we just awarded the Liberal International’s Prize for Freedom to Sen. Leila De Lima in recognition of her achievements and her continuing fight for human rights even while wrongly imprisoned. The first Filipina to get this award was President Cory in 1987, in her fight for democracy.
Vice President Leni Robredo, in her speech during the awarding, said that they embody the indomitable spirit of a freedom fighter, while she herself continue to field political persecution and character assassination with dignity.
Let us borrow courage from these extraordinary women. Be a Cory in this time of uncertainties.
Ginugunita natin ngayon ang ika-siyam na taon mula nang pumanaw si President Corazon Aquino. Kahit pa halos isang dekada na ang nakalipas, nananatili pa ring matatag ang kanyang pamana sa ating mga puso at isipan.
Para sa aming lumaki sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng isang diktadurya, si President Cory ay isang simbolo ng bagong umaga. Isa siyang babaeng may kakaibang lakas at parating inuna ang kanyang tungkulin sa bayan. Hindi basta-basta ang pagpasyang ginawa — ngunit siya, kasama ang lahat ng taong nakipaglaban para sa ating kalayaan noon, ay pinili kung ano ang tama. Nahaharap tayo ngayon sa sitwasyong tulad noon, at patuloy nating nilalabanan ang paniniil at kawalang-katarungan.
Noong isang araw, ginawaran ng Liberal International Prize for Freedom si Sen. Leila De Lima bilang pagkilala sa kanyang mga tagumpay at patuloy na pakikipaglaban para sa karapatang pantao kahit pa siya ay nakakulong. Ang pinakaunang Filipina na ginawaran ng ganitong pagkilala ay si President Cory noong 1987 sa kanyang laban para sa demokrasya.
Sa kanyang talumpati noong gabi ng parangal, sinabi ni Vice President Leni Robredo na isinasabuhay nila ang hindi sumusukong diwa ng isang taong nakikipaglaban para sa kalayaan. Sinabi nya ito habang hinaharap niya ang mga paninira at pag-uusig politikal nang may dignidad.
Manghiram tayo ng tapang at lakas ng loob sa mga kahanga-hangang kababaihang ito. Maging isang Cory tayo sa panahon ng walang katiyakan.