Cory Aquino on Ninoy’s death anniversary, Kris, James Yap, Danding, GMA, Imelda

In these turbulent times of the "Hello, Garci" scandal, quashed impeachment cases and alleged coup attempts, ex-President Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino has remained a respected voice for freedom, idealism and social conscience through her civic endeavors and her headline-grabbing political advocacies. She was a key leader in the military-backed civilian uprisings against Presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001, and has openly called for President Gloria Arroyo to resign due to allegations of election cheating. Just before the 23rd anniversary of the shocking August 21, 1983 assassination of her husband Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., which forever changed Philippine history, the former President and 1986 Time magazine "Person of the Year" gave The Philippine STAR an exclusive interview in which she shared her hopes, the late senator’s political ideals, her views on leading personalities and other issues.

Cory Aquino gave this writer a booklet on Ninoy Aquino, which chronicled that one of his favorite quotes was from an ancient Chinese sage who said these words which best sum up the impact of Ninoy’s life and heroic death on Philippine society: "There is a sublime thieving in all giving – man gives us his all and we are his forever." 

PHILIPPINE STAR: It’s been 23 years since your husband Senator Ninoy Aquino was assassinated. Can you tell us who you believe was the real mastermind?

PRESIDENT CORY C. AQUINO: Yes, I know the mastermind. It was somebody very powerful.

Can you name this mastermind?

Even before, I already knew: it had to be the dictator.

Why is it that, after over two decades, this case has not yet been tried and the alleged mastermind was never convicted even during your tenure as president and after all those many investigations?

It’s unfortunate, those soldiers involved were all sentenced to life imprisonment, up to now they still continue to insist that it was the alleged communist hitman Rolando Galman who was the assassin. They have written me twice, once when I was still president and most recently they wrote again two years ago. The soldiers wrote me asking for help to get them pardoned, but how could I do that when they are still insisting that it was Galman who killed Ninoy? They have to tell the truth.

Isn’t it shocking and frustrating that a former senator and the husband of a president cannot get justice after 23 years? What, then, could ordinary citizens in our republic expect from our justice system?

Don’t forget the John F. Kennedy assassination case in America, the most powerful nation on earth. There are still also many unresolved questions on that case up to now.

For the new generation of Filipinos who were not yet born in 1983 or are too young to remember, can you tell us what is the legacy of Ninoy Aquino, his martyrdom and the subsequent events that changed Philippine history?

How old are you, Wilson? Ninoy was 39 when he was imprisoned. I remember our close friends, Evelyn and Domingo Lee, saying we should hold a big birthday party, because nine was unlucky in Chinese tradition. He was jailed unjustly, then he and our family went into exile. The reason for Ninoy’s coming back here was he wanted to talk to then ailing President Ferdinand Marcos, to call for an election, to campaign for the return of democracy and avert disaster. When asked why Marcos should listen to him, since he was a political exile, Ninoy said he had the moral authority because we were living in the US and he was concerned about the uncertain future of the Philippines. Ninoy said he would never be able to forgive himself, knowing that he could have done something and that he didn’t do anything to avert the crisis.

You then surprised your critics and even allies by emerging as the fearless widow who successfully continued Ninoy’s quest for democracy.

It was never my ambition to be president. I was told I was the only one who could win in the snap election against President Marcos and the one who could unite the opposition. But if there had been more than one candidate, it was going to assure the victory of Marcos. When I was still undecided about accepting the clamor for me to run, a former U.P. classmate of Ninoy – Johnny Collas, the brother of Solita Monsod – wrote me a letter asking whether it would bother my conscience if Marcos won again and I didn’t do anything to stop him.

Was the assassination of Ninoy the most difficult crisis in your life?

No, not the assassination. The most difficult crisis of my life was the seven years and seven months of Ninoy’s imprisonment during martial law. It really prepared me for the 1983 assassination, for the political struggle and for the pressures of the presidency. If not for those difficult years of Ninoy’s imprisonment, I probably wouldn’t be able to accept his assassination and react accordingly afterward. During those times, most people avoided us. Once I attended a wedding, nobody wanted to sit with my sister-in-law at our table; we ended up sitting with the flower girls.

Is the government’s recent handling of your family’s Hacienda Luisita case a form of political vendetta due to your publicly calling for President Arroyo’s resignation?

That has always been our problem. They used the Hacienda Luisita issue against our family when Ninoy was imprisoned, and also when I ran for president against Marcos.

What is your reaction to Justice Secretary Gonzalez investigating your brother Peping Cojuangco’s alleged involvement in a coup plot against President Arroyo?

I find it really strange, all those accusations. I asked Peping about it, but he denies it. He just likes to entertain many people and his guests bring others. I told him salamat na lang you didn’t invite me there (laughs).

When did you first meet Ninoy Aquino? How old were you then?

(Laughs) We were both nine years old when we first met at the birthday of his father. It was the time of the Japanese occupation, and the birthday party was in New Manila, Quezon City. You know, it would have been almost impossible for Ninoy and me not to have met, because both our fathers were political leaders of Tarlac province. His father was congressman of the second district and my father was congressman of the first district – at that time Tarlac had only two districts. My father was also the godfather of Ninoy’s younger sister Lupita and Ninoy’s half-brother Billy Aquino married my first cousin Trinidad Cojuangco.

What was your first impression of Ninoy?

When we first met, I thought, ang yabang ni Ninoy (laughs).

When did you meet Ninoy next and how long was his courtship before you got married?

After I graduated from high school, that’s when we met next. I went to the US to study, then there were many bienvenida parties, that’s when we met. He courted me when I was 17 years old, and I wasn’t really interested in him, because I was hoping to marry someone at least five years older than me. My late father was five years older than my mother, and he was a very good husband and loving father. Both of us were 21 years old when we married.

Did you know that among those people who were shocked by Ninoy’s assassination was John Gokongwei Jr., who didn’t smoke the whole day out of shock and has quit smoking ever since that day? Where were you exactly when Ninoy was shot?

I was in Boston, it was a little before 2 a.m., but I couldn’t sleep that night. My daughter Ballsy came to my room. There was a telephone call, and we thought it was Ninoy or someone he asked to call, because he promised he’d call me or have someone call me upon his arrival in Manila. Japan’s Kyodo News Agency called at 2 a.m., Ballsy answered the phone, but I could sense from her voice that something was wrong. She said that they hadn’t heard any news that he was shot. Then United Press International called, also trying to verify news. I called up Arnold Zeitlin, the station chief of Associated Press in Boston, he was formerly stationed in Manila and was our friend. Arnold told me that he had no news and that he’d call me if he had any, but I’m sure he knew and didn’t want to worry me. The one who broke the news to me was then member of the Japanese parliament and now Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara. He was a good friend of Ninoy, they’re of the same age. When Ninoy was in prison during martial law, Ishihara once came to Manila with a letter from then Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda addressed to President Marcos and seeking permission for Ishihara to be allowed to visit Ninoy. But Marcos didn’t allow him to visit, and I went to see him at Manila Hotel. The reason Ishihara knew of Ninoy’s assassination was because there was a Japanese (man) named Wakamiya on the same plane as Ninoy. Ishihara called me, telling me Ninoy was shot and that it seemed to be a fatal wound in the head. It was 2:30 a.m. and I was crying when my son Noynoy was watching CNN (which was) already reporting the news. I asked my whole family to kneel down and pray the rosary. Among our earliest visitors were our friends Japanese Consul General and Mrs. Iguchi, whom we had invited to Luisita and Baguio when they were in Manila. Ishihara called them about Ninoy’s death. We called other friends, mostly doctors. Later Ballsy said we should go to church. We lived across from Boston College and the American Jesuit priests were sympathetic, but I wished there had been a Filipino priest. At 9 a.m., lots of TV and radio media were interviewing me, then a Filipino priest, Fr. Arevalo from the Ateneo, came to offer Mass. He said he was on sabbatical at Boston College. It was the first time I had met him, and you know, he has since been saying Mass for Ninoy every August 21.

Are you disappointed that 23 years after Ninoy’s death, our society is still mired in so much corruption, political cheating and shameless scandals?

I am always optimistic about a better Philippine future, despite our present problems. I will always be grateful to the Filipino people that after the death of Ninoy, most of them were awakened out of their apathy and indifference. They were no longer afraid. I could never forget the estimated two million people who attended his funeral procession. I derived a lot of courage from the Filipino people. Suppose it had only been us, my kids and relatives who were there to mourn Ninoy? But the fact that the Filipino people were awakened, that strengthened me. Many people, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, have told me that Ninoy’s life and dying awakened them from inaction and passive acceptance of evils and injustice, challenged them to stand up and be counted for the cause of freedom and the defense of human rights. Ninoy himself said more than once that courage is caught by infection, that brave deeds would call forth brave deeds, that self-sacrifice would summon self-sacrifice, that life given in love would become for others a wellspring of "impossible dreams."

At the rate your daughter Kris Aquino is gaining popularity, I think she could continue your and Ninoy’s legacy to become a future president.

Ninoy always told me, you can plan only up to becoming senator, but to become president, that is destiny. Ninoy really wanted to be president all his life. He was the youngest mayor, governor and senator, but his imprisonment changed him and he later spoke about wanting to spread the word of God. In my case, I never even dreamed to be president. That was never my ambition. I just wanted to be a good wife and mother. But I’m grateful for the great opportunity to serve the Philippines as president and to help in restoring democracy. If not for Ninoy’s death and the 1986 People Power Revolution, perhaps the country would have plunged into chaos with a military takeover. President Marcos then didn’t have a vice president.

Twenty-three years after Ninoy’s death, have you reconciled with your first cousin and Marcos ally Ambassador Danding Cojuangco?

We’ve never talked. I’ve never seen him since. But my daughter Kris has talked to him, and she’s even doing San Miguel beer commercials for him. I always pray for many people, including my relatives. I pray for all those who have been good to me as well as those who have done harm to us. During martial law, while praying for Ninoy’s release, I also prayed for God to have mercy on Marcos, all his generals and the others who were not good to us.

How did you cope with Ninoy’s death and all the other crises?

I have learned that when we are troubled or so helpless, just call on God. I usually pray: "Dear Lord, I just leave it all to you." I pray with all my heart, I work with all my might, and the rest I leave to God.

Why don’t you hold an exhibit of your paintings, then sell them to raise money for charity?

(Laughs) Nakakahiya. I’ve given paintings to donors, to the Aquino Foundation. When former US Secretary of State George Shultz got married the second time, I gave him a painting, which was reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. At South Korean President Kim Dae Jung’s inaugural, I gave him a painting. I also gave paintings to the Sultan of Brunei and the chairman of Sanyo Corp. You know, I once also gave GMA a painting for her birthday. I don’t want to sell, maybe they’d bargain the prices too low (laughs). I’ll just leave all my paintings to my kids. Anyway, paintings also command much higher prices after the painter has passed away (laughs).

What do you think of Cesar Montano’s plan to play Ninoy Aquino in his proposed movie project?

Cesar Montano asked for my telephone number and called me up. We talked three months ago about his plan to have investors join him to produce a Ninoy Aquino film. We went to the Aquino Center in Tarlac. He said he will wait for director Marilou Diaz Abaya to come and plan details. The scriptwriter he’s thinking of is Ricky Lee. I liked his portrayal of Jose Rizal in film. He said Kris could play my role; if not her, Maricel Soriano. But I told Kris I prefer that she play my role, because she knows me very well. There’s a slight problem, because as advertising endorser of Pantene shampoo, her contract stipulates that Kris cannot cut short her hair. But I guess that since it’s only a one-year contract, Kris can still play me since there are reports Cesar will be still be busy as a candidate in elections next year.

Where is Cesar running, in Bohol?

I heard Cesar Montano is running as vice mayor of Manila as the running mate of Senator Ping Lacson who is running for mayor. I think Mayor Lito Atienza’s son is running for mayor with Manny Pacquiao as his vice mayor. I heard Senator Fred Lim is also running for Manila mayor. Who do you think is more popular, a boxing champion or a movie actor as vice-mayor?

I think Manny Pacquiao should not go into politics, he might lose. Aside from recently calling for President Arroyo to resign, what have you been busy with these days?

I’m very much involved in micro-finance (projects) to help the poor, a joint project of the Aquino Foundation with the Assisi Foundation of my in-law Ambassador Howard Q. Dee. We started two years ago, now we have 20,000 clients. We have 99-percent repayment. It’s not a dole-out, but helping the poor help themselves. One hundred percent of all our clients are Filipino women, because Filipino men tend to spend their extra money on gambling, alcohol or other vices. Also helping us here is Dr. Washington SyCip and Ramon del Rosario.

How do you view Imelda Marcos now after all these years?

I’ve never spoken to President Marcos, but Imelda I had met several times. Imee and Ballsy used to be kindergarten classmates in Poveda, then still called Institucion Teresiana. We first met and talked there during one of the school’s programs. Many years later, I met Imelda again at a luncheon for senators’ wives hosted by Senate President Gil Puyat’s wife at her home in honor of Imelda. You know, ang galing talaga ni Imelda. I was with the opposition, so we were seated all the way at the end of the long table, but Imelda approached me and asked how my daughter Ballsy was. The last time we met was when Imelda visited the hospital before Ninoy was allowed to leave on May 8, 1980 for the US for his heart surgery. You know, the number 8 has always been very lucky for me.

Lots of Chinese love the number 8, because the Chinese word for 8 rhymes with the Chinese word for prosperity. Your immigrant great-grandfather Jose Cojuangco was a remarkable guy, a self-made man who founded a great clan in politics and business. In the Spanish time, Chinese migrants were only all men, so your family and others became part-Chinese mestizos. Though you are only part-Chinese, ethnic Chinese worldwide take pride in your accomplishments and your historic visit to your ancestral village in Fujian, south China.

I was included in the book Sons of the Yellow Emperor about the world’s overseas Chinese diaspora. Although she was half-Chinese, my grandfather’s sister Ysidra Cojuangco was very good at using the abacus for business. She was very smart, though she didn’t go to school. She owned rice mills, but she would still sweep the floor. She had a Chinese way of counting rice sacks being delivered to the mill using bamboo sticks. She would wake up daily to work before the crack of dawn. She was very frugal, didn’t travel abroad until she was very old, and she had no vices.

Why is Kris Aquino so popular?

I don’t know. I’m also amazed. Her two TV shows are also doing very well. She is really the female Ninoy Aquino. Both of them talk fast and love reading, but she’s not as well-read as Ninoy because she doesn’t read the serious books Ninoy liked. Noynoy and Kris are the best read among our children.

Do you advise Kris on her career and personal life?

Actually, Kris is a very independent creature. I don’t usually tell my children what to do or not do, I just call their attention to the things I disapprove of.

Do you advise your kids on politics?

In politics, I advise Noynoy to do what he believes in, regardless of whether it’s popular or not. In my case, when people ask why I’m publicly calling for GMA to resign and for a snap election, I tell them because that’s what I sincerely believe in. I’ve been so privileged compared to 90 percent of Filipinos, so I believe that I should do what is morally right and for the greater good of the country. Have you seen the August 16 impeachment proceedings in Congress and how the majority just threw out the case without proper deliberations? I’m afraid that is what will happen when Charter Change shifts our political system to a parliamentary form, they will be there in power forever and there shall be no real system of checks and balances. We should defend our democracy.

These past 23 years after Ninoy’s death, have you ever thought of remarrying? What about all those rumors of past suitors, including General Alfredo Lim?

I just laughed off all those stories when I was in Malacañang Palace, when rumors were linking me to all kinds of men. Even Fred Lim apologized to me about rumors linking him to me, and he said those stories didn’t originate from him.

Speaking of marriage, do you approve of Kris Aquino’s choice of the younger basketball player James Yap as her husband?

(Laughs) Bahala na si Kris, anyway I don’t have to live with him. Actually, he’s a patient man. Kris needs a patient man. 

How would you like Cory Aquino to be remembered in history?

As somebody who really loved her country and who trusted in God completely.

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