Ninoy's ideals worth remembering

WHILE a few seemed to have forgotten the true essence of commemorating the assassination of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino on Augist 21, 1983, many still believe that the country owes him lots of lessons and virtues.

Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 director Arturo Boncato Jr. Tuesday said Ninoy has left an important lesson that all public official must emulate, that is "to be vanguards of democracy".

President Simeon Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the only son of Ninoy, issued presidential proclamation declaring August 21 as a special non-working holiday across the country to remember the contributions of his father to the country's freedom and democracy.

"It is always relevant to remember those who have faced the odds and who have inspired our people to secure and sustain the many liberties akin to the best democracies that we truly enjoy today," Boncato said.

Malu Dadula, an employee of the Davao City Information Office (CIO), said the celebration is important to remind not only public officials but also ordinary citizens to be mindful of the cause Ninoy has fought for.

Celeste Paraiso, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Singapore, said she no longer sees the importance of celebrating this day.

"For me there seems to be no more sense in celebrating Ninoy's Day, kasi naman kung babalikan natin kung ano yung ipinaglaban niya (if we will go back on what he has fought for), I mean the corrupt leaders, ganun parin naman ngayon (it's still the same story now)," Paraiso said.

The country marked the 29th death anniversary of Ninoy on Tuesday who fell by an assassin's bullet upon returning to the Philippines from US exile.

His death sparked a series of protests that prompted his widow Corazon to challenge then President Ferdinand Marcos for the presidency in 1986.

Allegations of cheating by Marcos in the 1986 snap elections led to a series of protests that culminated in the February 1986 Edsa Revolution that ousted Marcos and installed Mrs. Aquino to the presidency. (JOP)