MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Manuel Roxas II has filed a resolution declaring Jan. 25, the date of birth of former President Corazon Aquino, as “Cory Aquino Day,” in commemoration of her crucial role in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.
In Joint Resolution No. 28, Roxas said Aquino, who passed away on Aug. 1 due to complications from colon cancer, deserved to be honored annually for her contribution to the restoration of democracy in the country, adding we should look up to her as a symbol of the fight against corruption.
“Former President Cory Aquino has demonstrated in the clearest terms that steep moral values and strength of character are what our nation needs in times of unabated corruption and political and social decay,” he said.
When she was president, Mrs. Aquino, affectionately called “Tita Cory” by all, took on the mission to run after the riches stolen from the nation during martial law, Roxas said.
The Senate is expected to pass Joint Resolution 28 while the House of Representatives is also expected to pass a similar resolution.
The Senate is suspending session starting today until the end of the week.
They opened the session yesterday with a tribute to Mrs. Aquino and the passage of the bicameral report on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPer). The CARP is one of the landmark legislations of the Aquino administration.
‘Tribute for icon of democracy’
Senators on different sides of the political fence during the Marcos dictatorship set aside differences to pay tribute to Mrs. Aquino and condole with their colleague, Sen. Noynoy Aquino.
Sen. Edgardo Angara hailed President Aquino and said she “was a woman of strength and unyielding determination.”
“To this day, she remains a symbol of democracy,” Angara said.
“She led the Philippines through a difficult transition to democracy. And even after her term, she continued to be the country’s conscience, supporting causes and keeping a steady voice of faith, hope and justice,” Angara said.
Senators Roxas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero, Bong Revilla, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda, Jamby Madrigal, Rodolfo Biazon and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also gave tributes for Mrs. Aquino.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson praised Aquino for her moral leadership.
“As president, no challenge could overcome her will – the coups couldn’t topple her, no armies could defeat her. She did not display any political ambiguity and was always respected and trusted by her peers and critics,” Lacson said.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who once served the Aquino administration as interior secretary, and Sen. Joker Arroyo, who fought alongside Ninoy Aquino against the Marcos dictatorship, were quiet during the tribute by colleagues, as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile listened to his colleagues from the podium.
Enrile, who briefly served as defense secretary during the Aquino administration after withdrawing support from the dictatorship, earlier led the Senate in praying for the repose of Aquino’s soul.
“She took the challenge bravely, mindful of the formidable obstacles and the heavy burden that anyone who takes the highest position of the land must bear: It was a time of turmoil and uncertainty, and the people needed to unite behind a single cause – to win back our democracy,” Enrile said in his prayer.
He said Mrs. Aquino served as the symbol of a united people who challenged the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. “No one else at that time could have inspired such unity and symbolize the Filipino people’s cry for change better than Corazon Aquino,” Enrile said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, for his part, said that the massive outpouring of sympathy for Mrs. Aquino is glaring proof that a vacuum of leadership exists in the country.
“As we grieve for the death of a great leader, we grieve as well for ourselves and our nation now bereft of genuine leadership.”
Meantime,the House of Representatives adopted last night joint resolution 40, declaring Jan. 25 as “Cory Aquino Day.”