MANILA, Aug. 20 (PNA) — The commemoration of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.’s 32nd death anniversary on August 21 reaffirms every Filipino’s responsibility to help achieve a freer society and national development, a Palace statement has said.
“Tomorrow, August 21, a grateful nation pays homage to the heroism of the late Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., who selflessly offered his life for the restoration of democracy in our country,” said Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. in a statement issued on Thursday.
“Ninoy Aquino continues to inspire generations of Filipinos to overcome difficulties and challenges in attaining their aspirations for a better future. As we celebrate his 32nd death anniversary, it is well to reaffirm the duty of every Filipino citizen to contribute to building a stronger democracy and a more prosperous and inclusive society.”
August 21 is a non-working holiday, which commemorates the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983. It is known as the “Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino”.
Aquino was a prominent critic of former President Ferdinand Marcos. When Marcos declared Martial Law in September 1972, Aquino was one of those imprisoned.
While in prison, he continued to campaign for democracy and even stood for election.
In 1980, he suffered two heart attacks and was permitted to seek medical treatment in the United States, where he remained in exile for about three years.
He wanted to challenge Marcos in a parliamentary election and on August 21, 1983, while he was being escorted off the airplane at the Manila International Airport, he was shot dead.
The assassination led to a major political upheaval in the Philippines and in 1986, after a snap presidential election, his widow Corazon Aquino was elected president.
The holiday was first celebrated in 2004 after the issuance of Republic Act 9256. The holiday was included in former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “holiday economics” policy, which adjusted holidays to form longer weekends to promote local tourism. It was however moved back to its original date in 2010 by Ninoy’s son, incumbent President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PNA)