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Philippines, 23 Nov 2024 |
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PI?OL ON CORY: THANK YOU AND GOODBYE By Manny Piñol PhilBoxing.com Wed, 05 Aug 2009  (Presiding Officer’s Statement Delivered by Vice Gov. Manny Pi?ol on the opening the 103rd Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of North Cotabato Aug. 4, 2009) It was on a Tuesday afternoon 23 years and five months ago, when --after a week-long massive street protests that marked the People Power Revolution – I and the other editors of the newspaper Tempo froze in our chairs as several large helicopters carrying the Marcos family flew over the Manila Bulletin building in Intramuros to start the first leg of the journey which would bring them to exile in Hawaii. The flight of the Marcos family marked the end of a regime that successfully held power for over 20 years, stifled or controlled the press, and started a culture of political corruption that afflicts the country until today. For us journalists who worked in the Marcos controlled media institutions, the flight of the Marcoses to exile also marked the start of an unknown future. While I was identified as among the rebellious journalists because I was moonlighting as night editor in the opposition newspaper We Forum while officially working as senior copy editor of the Menzi-owned Tempo, I too saw an uncertain future. As the din of the choppers faded, we started talking among ourselves on what we would do should the new President Corazon Aquino decide to shut down Marcos-identified media facilities. I remembered telling my colleagues of my plan to go home to Cotabato and go farming. I know how to plow the field, plant and harvest rice and grow rubber trees, I recall telling them. Our fears were proven to be unfounded. Instead of getting back at media facilities which helped Marcos perpetuate himself in power for more than two decades, Cory Aquino made Philippine press the freest in this part of the world. In fact, Philippine press is so free that some scheming and ill-intentioned individuals saw opportunities by setting up bogus media facilities and presenting themselves as journalists whose only aim is to further their political agenda and malign their political opponents. Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the housewife who became President of the Republic of the Philippines by a strange twist of fate, was not a perfect President. She made several misjudgements like freeing communist leader Jose Maria Sison and reviving the dying secessionist movement in the Southern Philippines by holding the much-dramatized dialogue with Nur Misuari in the high-seas of Sulu. But all of these miscalculated moves were done with the noble intent of bringing together a deeply divided nation. She did this like a mother that she was, calling on all of her children who had gone astray to come home and feel the warmth of her love. Many mistook her soft demeanour for weakness and several disgruntled members of the armed forces launched a series of coup attempts against her. In all of those trials, she never flinched. With the help of those who believed in her, including her trusted ally Fidel V. Ramos who would later become President with her blessings, she crushed all of the revolts. It was during her Presidency that the cry of local governments all over the country for autonomy both in governance and in fiscal administration was heeded. The crafting of the Local Government Code of 1991 brought about a revolutionary change in governance in the Philippines which we local leaders enjoy today. Cory Aquino, the reluctant President who is now known all over the world as the icon of the bloodless People Power Revolt of 1986, made immense contributions in making the Philippines the beacon of democracy in this part of the world. Humanity will remember her for that. Filipinos of the succeeding generations will revere her for leading us, the Filipinos of this generation, in the quest to regain our liberty. As for me, I will remember Corazon Cojuangco Aquino for the two important lessons that she indirectly imparted: First, by reaching out to those who had gone astray and for forgiving those who attempted to unseat her, Cory Aquino taught me the lesson that a leader must work hard and sacrifice to unite the people. Many times, I have been asked why I could comfortably work with political personalities who worked against me in the last elections, and who may be against me in the coming political exercises. The answer is simple: my personal feelings must take the backseat in favour of the interests of our people. Second, I will remember Cory Aquino for giving meaning to the Filipino value of “utang na loob.” Faced with the predicament of who to anoint as her successor to the Presidency, she evidently looked deep into herself and asked the question: Who was it who stayed with me and protected me during the most trying times of my Presidency? The result? Her endorsement of Fidel V. Ramos, one of the main figures in the People Power Revolution who turned down offers from rebellious soldiers to head a military junta to replace Cory Aquino. Ramos stood by her and helped her crush the revolts to preserve the democratic gains of the country and I believe that Cory Aquino valued this more than anything else. Tomorrow, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino will be laid to rest. She will no longer be with us but her memory will linger from one Filipino generation to another. Today, I ask you my fellow members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to express in unison our endless debt of gratitude to this unassuming woman who helped us regain our democracy and taught us priceless lessons in political unity and Filipino values. I also ask that we spend one minute of silence to pray for Cory Aquino – the Mother of the Filipino Nation. Maraming Salamat po sa pagmamahal at mga alaala at Paalam, Pangulong Cory. * * * This article was originally published by SPNorthCotabato.net on Aug. 4, 2009. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.  |
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