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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/21 August) – President Rodrigo R. Duterte said the Philippines needs more people like the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. whose dedication must serve as a “guidepost for the current leaders in government as they advance the welfare of our people, especially the oppressed and marginalized.”
In his message for the Ninoy Aquino Day celebration, the President called on the Filipinos to reflect on the sacrifices of the late senator, who was assassinated at the Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983 while “fighting to restore peace and democracy” during the Marcos dictatorship.
“His profound love of country has inspired a revolution that altered the course of our nation’s history and gave birth to the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said.
Duterte said the country needs more citizens like Aquino to steer the country toward the direction of a brighter and better future.
“This can only be achieved if we work together to institute meaningful reforms that will put an end to the many social ills that have obstructed our path towards becoming a mature and stable democracy,” he said.
The martyred senator’s wife, Corazon C. Aquino ran against Marcos during the snap presidential election in 1986.
Rampant fraud during the election led to the civilian-backed military mutiny that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.
The Aquino couple’s only son, Benigno Aquino III, became president in 2010. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
