January 25 as "Cory Aquino Day" sought

CEBU, Philippines - Senator Manuel Roxas yesterday filed a resolution to declare January 25, the date of birth of former President Corazon Aquino, as “Cory Aquino Day.”

In Joint Resolution No. 28, Roxas said the former President who passed away on August 1, deserves to be honored yearly for her crucial role in the revival of democracy in the Philippines. Likewise, Roxas said that the country should look up to Aquino as a symbol of the fight against corruption.

Roxas said Aquino deserves the yearly honoring because she took on the mission to run after the riches stolen from the nation during Martial Law.   The House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar resolution.

Aquino, the first woman president of the Philippines, died of cardio-respiratory attack dawn last Saturday at the Makati Medical Center where she was confined for the last time following the discovery of her cancer last year.

She will be buried on August 5, which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared as a special non-working holiday. Arroyo also proclaimed 10 days of national mourning in honor of Aquino, who was at one time named as Time Magazine’s “Woman of the Year.”

Aquino is known worldwide as a “democracy icon.” — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)