Duterte: Emulate Ninoy Aquino’s ‘remarkable life’

PRESIDENT  Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday called on Filipinos to reflect on the sacrifice of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., as he expressed hope that life of the former senator will move government workers “to serve with honor, integrity and purpose.”

The nation on Wednesday observed the Ninoy Aquino Day, which marks the assassination of the former senator at the tarmac of the former Manila International Airport on Aug. 21, 1983.

In his message on the 36th Ninoy Aquino Day, Duterte hailed Aquino’s “important role in restoring our democratic institutions more than three decades ago.”

“His sacrifice altered the course of our nation’s history and still continues to ignite the spirit of heroism among our people,” Duterte said.

The President said that this “auspicious occasion” should “remind us of what we had lost so that we may remain committed to our solemn duty to safeguard the freedoms that we now enjoy.”

“I also hope that Ninoy’s remarkable life as a public servant will move my fellow government workers to serve with honor, integrity and purpose as well as inspire our youth to be of service to their country and fellowmen,” he added.

Halfway into his six-year term, Duterte acknowledged that much has to be done to solve the ills that beset the Philippines, the same problem that plagued the country during Aquino’s time.

“Despite our gains in these past three years, there is still a lot that needs to be done if we are to completely eradicate the poverty, corruption and injustice that had plagued our nation even during Ninoy’s time,” the President said.

“Let his example guide us as we strive to uplift and protect the most vulnerable in our society and ensure that all Filipinos will enjoy the blessings of freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” he added.

Aquino, father of former president Benigno Aquino 3rd, was the top political opponent of then president Ferdinand Marcos.

He was a political prisoner during the Marcos regime, but was allowed to seek treatment in the US in 1980 after he suffered a heart attack.

Millions of Filipinos were outraged at the assassination. Aquino’s wife Corazon led the democratic opposition after that, and eventually rose to power after a military-backed civilian uprising toppled the strongman on Feb. 25, 1986.