MANILA, Philippines - Former Tarlac congressman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. has launched a book which he hopes will enable the younger generation to better appreciate the struggles of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and his Laban political party during the martial law years.
In launching the book “LABAN, His Story” at the Cojuangco family house in Forbes Park last Friday night, Cojuangco said he wanted to emphasize the thought that the struggle for changes waged by Ninoy that started with the creation of the Laban ng Bayan (Laban) party in 1978 did not end with the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution.
“This book is almost about the 1978 elections and the heroism of those people who were ready to risk their lives for change,” he said.
The book launching also served as a reunion for some of the original Laban members.
Among those who attended the event were former Manila mayor Mel Lopez, former Interior secretary Joey Lina, former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, and former Environment secretary Heherson Alvarez.
Cojuangco served as campaign manager of Laban which was founded by Ninoy for the April 7, 1978 regional interim Batasan Pambansa elections.
Candidates of the Ninoy-led Laban were vying for the 21 parliamentary seats representing Region IV-A (Metro Manila).
Laban fielded then imprisoned Ninoy Aquino, Jerry Barican, Alex Boncayao, Felicisimo Cabigao, Juan David, Jaime Ferrer, Neptali Gonzales Sr., Teofisto Guingona, Trinidad Herrera, Priming Lucero, Ernie Maceda, Tony Martinez, Monching Mitra Jr., Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Charito Planas, Napoleon Rama, Alejandro Roces, Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, Ernesto Rondon, and Emmanuel Santos.
Not a single Laban candidate got elected in the polls which were dominated by candidates of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the party of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.
Cojuangco said that when he visited Ninoy in jail to report about the party’s defeat at the polls, Ninoy said they still had won since they had awakened the people regarding the abuses of the Marcos regime.
But Cojuangco said the awakening did not end with the 1986 EDSA People Power revolution, which saw his sister, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, being elected president.
“Our jobs are not yet over,” he said, adding that it is not right for the public to just depend on Ninoy and Cory’s son, President “Noynoy” Aquino, for reforms in government.
“We do not have to be dependent on Noynoy. We can do our share to fight corruption and fight for justice,” he said.