Noynoy calls for nation’s support on Cory’s first death anniversary
MANILA – President Benigno Simeon Aquino III called on the Filipinos over the weekend to unite behind his program of government in the same way that they rallied behind her mother, former President Corazon Aquino, when she passed away exactly a year ago.
The President issued the call in a speech at the unveiling of a 250 feet by 200 feet photo mosaic consisting more than 3,200 images of his mother, created by veteran photojournalist Revoli Cortez.
Cortez covered the Malacañang beat for several years, including the six-year term of President Cory Aquino from l986 to l992.
“I hope and pray that you will also be by my side so that the change that we have committed to work together will soon be a reality,” the President said.
President Aquino said his mother was a great influence in his decision to run for the presidency, adding now that he is the president, the “burden she once carried is now upon me.”
He particularly cited a meaningful quotation imparted to him by his late mother; “I could not live with myself knowing that I could have done something and I chose not to.”
The President pointed out that his mother was able to overcome the problems and burden of the presidency with the full support of the Filipino people.
He described the photo mosaic, printed on a tarpaulin, as a “symbol of the hope” that was felt during the death of President Cory on August 1 last year.
Cory Aquino was widely known as “icon” of Philippine democracy.
“Beyond expressing sympathy, it was a resurgence of hope and a realization that each of us has a role in alleviating our common burden. This mosaic of photographs is a symbol of that hope. The real challenge however is in making Cory Aquino’s example and legacy part of our daily lives,” the President stressed.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that Cory Aquino’s death meant so much for her only son.
Lacierda said that when then Senator Aquino won the presidency last May, his main goal was to unite the Filipino people and renew their faith in government, which was the message shown during her mother’s death and burial.
This, more than his commitment to stop corruption, was his overriding objective even before he decided to run in the May 10 elections which he won, Lacierda said in an interview with government radio.
“When President Corazon Aquino died, it brought back memories of EDSA 1. It brought back memories of the time of our struggle against the dictatorship and it told us that we can fight for what is right,” Lacierda said.
Along with this “renewed hope,” came optimism that the Filipinos could have another administration that would tread on a straight path, he said.
“At doon nakita na anak lang ni President Cory Aquino ang makikipagbigay sa atin ng ganoong matuwid na daan [And it dawned upon us all that Cory’s only son could lead us to the straight path]. And that snowballed ,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda recalled that President Aquino did not want to return to government again. “He prayed hard for discernment and when his partner, vice presidential candidate Mar Roxas gave way, he prayed even harder.”
With the pivotal role which former President Cory Aquino played in restoring Philippine democracy, Lacierda said the country already owes her a great deal.
“And, in death, she became, all the more, an icon of good governance and democracy,” he said.
Cory Aquino died from colon cancer at 76 in August 1 last year and the death anniversary was observed yesterday. PNA
