MALACANANG underscored Sunday the contribution of late President Corazon Aquino in restoring the country's democracy, as the nation marks her 83rd birth anniversary on Monday, January 25.

"The Filipino nation pays homage tomorrow to the memory of President Corazon C. Aquino on the occasion of her 83rd birth anniversary. President Aquino took on the leadership of the movement to restore democracy after the assassination of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. in 1983 and became president in the aftermath of the triumph of the EDSA People Power revolution following the failed snap elections in February 1986," said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. in a statement read over Radyo ng Bayan.

Coloma said Mrs. Aquino, President Benigno Aquino III's mother, "moved decisively to restore and rebuild the democratic institutions that had been dismantled during the regime of the dictatorship since the imposition of martial rule in September 1972."

"Her steadfast dedication and commitment to democracy was highlighted by the conduct of credible elections and the peaceful handover of power to a new president in June 1992," said Coloma. (SDR/Sunnex)