Noy on Cory legacy: Democracy must live on

MANILA, Philippines - As his family held a mass for the eighth death anniversary of his mother, Corazon, former president Benigno Aquino III called on Filipinos yesterday to always guard the country’s democracy earned through a peaceful people power revolution in 1986.

Aquino’s mother was installed president after the bloodless uprising that came three years after the assassination of his father and namesake, Benigno Jr., in 1983.

Aquino’s parents fought the Marcos dictatorship, which was toppled through the revolution, and had been considered democracy icons.

“Maski anong bagay ‘pag pinabayaan guguho eh, mawawala. Parang obligasyon natin na nagmana sa lahat ng sakrpisyo ng nauna sa atin na ipagtanggol ‘yung mga karapatan na hindi naman ibinigay, ipinaglaban? (Anything will crumble if not taken care of. It’s like the obligation of those who benefited from the sacrifices of the ones who came before us to defend the rights that were not handed down but fought for),” Aquino said.

“‘Pag ‘di natin pinahalagahan itong mga karapatan na ito, baka gumising tayo isang araw wala na (If we do not value these rights, we might wake up one day we have lost them),” he added.

Aquino said it was very “touching” and “heartwarming” to see the same faces since his father died still supporting their family.

His eldest sister, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, also thanked those who remain by their side even if they were no longer in power.

Aquino said his mother would have joined the discourse on various issues affecting the country if she were alive and that he was hoping the freedoms she fought for would never wane.

“Of course she would have plenty to be concerned about if she were still alive. The crisis in Marawi City, the extrajudicial killings, and now, typhoon season. There are many issues,” he said.