Remembering Ninoy

Malacañang has declared today, Wednesday a holiday as the nation commemorates the 30th death anniversary of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. August 21 or “Ninoy Aquino Day” is a special non-working day.

This marks Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.’s return to the Philippines and his martyrdom and sacrifice. He was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, Ninoy formed the leadership of the opposition to the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. Shortly after the imposition of Martial Law, he was arrested in 1973 along with other dissidents and incarcerated for seven years. Aquino was permitted to travel to the United States for medical treatment following a heart attack. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon returning from his self-imposed exile. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, into the political limelight, and prompted her to run for President as member of the UNIDO party in the 1986 snap elections.

Among other public structures, Manila International Airport has since been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honour, and the anniversary of his death is a national holiday.

The Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) is spearheading an online commemoration which will feature an interactive page with a comprehensive timeline, music of the era, infographic maps, essays, and testimonials on Ninoy and his sacrifice, on the Presidential Museum and Library.

“This campaign seeks to keep the spirit of Ninoy’s martyrdom alive as an example of the selfless sacrifice of a man who gave up his life to free a shackled country. Join the commemoration by posting on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #Ninoy or by sending an email to heritage@pcdspo.gov.ph.

The nation once again marks Ninoy’s sacrifice, and your recollections and opinions will play a vital role in enabling a new generation of Filipinos to understand the period of martial law, and the turning point that was August 21, 1983.”

--- --- Statement of Secretary Edwin Lacierda:

         On PCDSPO’s online observance of Ninoy Aquino’s 30th Death Anniversary

         [August 14, 2013]