Carrying on the torch of leadership

There is nothing more precious than a legacy of goodness and decency. There is nothing more touching than a son accepting the mantle of leadership that his parents have passed on to him.

Especially during this time in our country’s history when our moral values have been so debased under the ugliest possible form of governance, with side trips to greed, extravagance and excess, and when a festering evil gnaws cruelly at the innards of the Filipino citizenry, there is a need for leadership that springs from a legacy of goodness based on the strictest set of moral values.

It is insulting to say: “Prove you are your own man.” For it is precisely this magnificent heritage that Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, reluctant though he may be, had to pick up. He cannot separate himself from the legacy bestowed on him by Ninoy and Cory Aquino.

In Mar Roxas’s words, on the evening he made his announcement to give way: “Noynoy made it clear that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.”

Quite a number of people who have no right to do so are exploiting the Ninoy and Cory Aquino names, and I think this kind of political gimmickry is not only shameless but also obscene. In the case of Noynoy, he has every reason to do so, and he must. It is a mandate.

Just last week, Noynoy explained the three factors that would influence his decision to run, which shows the nobility of his spirit. The biggest factor, he said, would have to be his ability to guarantee to the people that there really would be changes, not just endeavoring to change things. This, according to Noynoy, is the most difficult, because he would have to answer the question: will I be incurring the frustrations of the people and adding to a sense of desperation, or will I really present, in my way, the changes that are meaningful for the country?

Another factor had to do with the logistics of a presidential campaign, and he also referred to an emotional factor, which had to do with the sentiments of the sisters he had sworn to both his parents to protect.

It certainly will require a great degree of soul-searching and prayer. He is leaving, as of this writing, for Zamboanga to go on a retreat, and with God’s help, find the answers in solitude at the Carmelite convent, and in prayer.

On Aug. 21, the anniversary of the martyrdom of his father, Noynoy delivered the only speech at the memorial service for his father, held beside Ninoy Aquino’s monument on Ayala Avenue in Makati. The anniversary became an even more shining moment because of the recent passing of Noynoy’s mother, where people power was displayed once again so magnificently, not only during President Cory’s wake, but also at the funeral.

The speech that Noynoy delivered on this occasion is reprinted hereunder:

“Lately, I have noticed that every turn I take is a reminder of something great. It seems every corner I took to, every street I pass, almost every building, has been designed with a constant picture of how great our country is.

“Everywhere I looked, there was yellow.

“Ito ay tunay na nakatataba ng puso. Ang aming pamilya ay patuloy na nagpapasalamat sa inyong paggunita ng mga sakripisyo ng gaming magulang na si Ninoy at Cory.

“Ito po ay paalala sa amin, at sa buong bansa na ang mga sakripisyo ng aking mga magulang ay buhay pa rin sa mga puso ng mga Pilipino.

“Ngayong araw po ay muli nating binibigyang parangal at ginugunita ang pagbubuwis ng buhay ng aking ama para sa bansa na kayang patuloy na pinaniwalaan hanggang sa huli.

“Back in 1973, my father, Ninoy Aquino, wrote a letter to the Military Commission saying, ‘I have faith in the Filipino. I believe that with all the resources at his disposal and given the facts and the truth, the Filipino can resolve any difficulty and achieve his vision of a good and just society.’

“It was with great courage and strength that he stood up against injustice and stood his ground in full belief that the Filipino is capable of lighting that candle of hope.

“Pagkalipas ng ilang taon, isang simpleng maybahay na si Corazon Aquino ang naging patunay sa wikain ng aking ama na kapag sandata mo ang katotohanan, and pagbabago ay iyong makakamit.

“Ang aking mga magulang ay kinilala ng ating bansa at pati ang buong mundo sa kanilang kagitingan. Kinilala sila at hinangaan sa kanilang pakikibaka laban sa mga yumuyurak sa karapatan ng mga Pilipino.

“Masasabi ko po na sila ay ordinaryong mga mamamayan. Sila po ay mga ordinaryong mamamayan na naatasan na gampanan ang malaking responsibilidad sa mga hindi pangkaraniwang pangyayari. Sa bawat pagkakataon na sila ay kailangang magdesisyon, doon sila sa kung ano ang makakabuti para sa inyo, mga minamahal nilang kababayan.

“Both Ninoy and Cory had an abiding faith that deepened in times of adversities. This faith in the guiding power of God and faith in genuine democracy gave them courage and direction.

“Sa kanilang paniniwala, hindi kailangan ang dahas at hindi kailangan ang pagdanak ng dugo upang muling magtipon-tipon at magtagumpay ang taong bayan sa pagsulong ng iisang adhikain.

“They both believed so much in this nation and the power of each individual to effect change through peaceful means. In their minds, the key to our country’s long-term stability is to encourage consensus building in place of dictation, and to practice persuasion in place of coercion and oppression.

“Today, we take a step further and continue the mission of Ninoy and Cory and pursue the vision of our countrymen. It is now our turn to keep and secure the democracy that they both have fought for — a society where each and every individual is equally important.

“In a democracy, everybody contributes to the improvement of society. This is its very heart and essence. However, with freedom and opportunity comes responsibility. This is a burden that we all must share.

“When people come together, like today, to push for a common cause, to be there for each other, in those moments, we can truly say that democracy is alive. No force of evil can match the strength of a people willing to put the welfare of others before themselves.

“Both my parents advocated simplicity and humility. I may be aware of my strengths, but I am doubly aware of my weaknesses. Alone, I may make a small difference, but together, we can achieve significant change. What our fate will be tomorrow depends on how we choose to act today — and if we will choose to act together. Truly, as my father once told me: the ball is now in our hands.”

Senator Benigno Aquino III has exhorted all of us to bring out the hero within and help effect badly-needed change in a deteriorating society. It is our duty as Filipino citizens to do so. This, after all, is the people’s fight. It is a fight between good and evil.

Benjamin Disraeli said: “I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?”

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