Today, August 21, 2024, marks as the 41st death anniversary of the late statesman, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. fondly known as “Ninoy”. It has been 41 years since he was assassinated at the Tarmac of Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport) before he was able to set his foot on Philippine soil after three (3) years of self-exile in the United States. Thus, in reverence to the late Senator, which I considered as the greatest President we never had – tied with Philippines’ iron lady, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, I dedicate today’s column in commemoration of his life and legacy.
Prior becoming a Senator in 1967, Ninoy had already made a name in the public sphere. At the age of 18, he received the Philippine Legion of Honor Award from President Elpidio Quirino for being a correspondent to cover the exploits of Filipino soldiers during the Korean War for the Manila Times of Chino Roces. Four (4) years, thereafter, Ninoy was appointed by then Defense Secretary, Ramon Magsaysay, to act as emissary to Luis Taruc, the leader of HUKBALAHAP (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon). On October 14, 1955, he received his second Philippine Legion of Honor Award having been credited for Luis Taruc’s surrender. In 1955, he entered the political sphere and served as the Mayor of Concepcion, Tarlac at the age of 23, became a vice governor at the age of 27, and the Governor of Tarlac at the age of 29.
In 1967, at the age of 34, he ran for a seat in Senate, however, electoral protest was filed against him on the ground that he is underage, thus, contrary to the mandate of the 1935 Philippine Constitution. However, having Jovito Salonga, one of the best legal minds in the history of our country, as his lawyer, such protest was not given due course and was dismissed. Salonga argued that the age requirement is applicable at that time of taking the oath of office and not at the time of filing the certificate of candidacy nor the time of election. Ninoy was 35 at the time he took his oath, thus, there can be no question regarding eligibility.
As a senator, Ninoy lead the opposition and became a staunch and constant critic of the Marcos regime. He delivered numerous speeches eloquently targeting and highlighting said regime’s abuses and extravagance.
During his freshmen year in the Senate, he delivered his first of many speeches pertaining to the Marcos regime – A Garrison State in the make – alleging, among others, that the President was plotting to convert the Philippines into a garrison state[1]. Thereafter, in 1969, Ninoy delivered perhaps his most famous speech prior Martial Law – A Pantheon for Imelda – which focused on the extravagance of the construction of the Cultural Center of the Philippines amounting to Fifty Million Pesos. Because of such tirade, Ninoy earned the abomination and detestation of then President Marcos and his first lady.
Ninoy has been viewed to be the frontrunner for the presidency in the upcoming 1973 national election. President Marcos, on the other hand, was already at end of his second term in 1973, thus, ineligible to run for another reelection. However, Ninoy was not able to realize such dream. In the evening of September 17, 1972, President Marcos declared in national TV that he had placed the Philippines under Martial Rule pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081. The following day, Ninoy, together with other opposition leaders, were arrested and detained.
His detention, however, did not waver Ninoy’s spirit as he continued to write several open letters against President Marcos and published it in Bangkok Post. These resulted to his solitary confinement along with Pepe Diokno on March 12, 1973. Ninoy described his room (cell) during such solitary confinement to be “roughly four by five meters with barred windows”. Thereafter, on August 27, 1973, he was brought before the military tribunal for his arraignment for charges of subversion, illegal possession of firearms and murder. Instead of entering his plead, Ninoy fiercely delivered a speech criticizing the tribunal’ authority, to wit:
“Sir, I know you to be honorable men. But the one unalterable fact is that you are subordinates of the President. You may decide to preserve my life, but he can choose to send me to death. Some people suggest that I beg for mercy. But this I cannot in conscience do. I would rather die on my feet with honor, than live on bended knees.
In 1975, still in protest to the jurisdiction of the military tribunal, inspired by his idol, Gandhi, Ninoy fasted for 40 days eating only table salt, amino acids and two glasses of water a day. His weight shrink from 50 kilos to 36. However, despite all these protestations, the military tribunal’s trial continued and sentenced Ninoy to death by firing squad. Ninoy, however, was never executed but remained in confinement. The Supreme Court, later on, declared that the military tribunals have no jurisdiction to try civilian for alleged offenses when the civil courts are open and functioning.[2]
Then, in 1980, Ninoy suffered two heart attacks and was required to undergo a coronary bypass. He refused, however, to have the same be conducted here in the Philippines in fear that Marcos would interfere and requested that he be allowed to have his operation in the US. After an alleged secret visit by the first lady, Ninoy was allowed to travel to the US for his operation subject to the conditions that he will return and will not attack the Marcoses again.
Nevertheless, after Ninoy recovered, during his three year self-exile, he traveled across the United States and delivered speeches to once again address and pinpoint the abuses and violations of the Marcos regime.
Then, in 1983, determined and with the intention to have a discussion with President Marcos regarding the fate of our country, Ninoy decided to return to the Philippines despite being fully aware of the dangers it entails. He was even quoted to have said, “if it’s my fate to die by an assassin’s bullet, so be it. But I cannot be petrified by inaction, or fear of assassination, and therefore stay in the side.
In the fateful afternoon of August 21, 1983, with national and international media covering his arrival, as Ninoy was taking his steps down the plane, bullet shots were heard, commotion ensued and the next thing that was caught on video was Ninoy’s lifeless body lying in the Tarmac of Manila International Airport. Ninoy Aquino’s death said to have inspired many Filipinos to rise against the Marcoses which lead to the 1986 revolution that eventually resulted to the culmination of then President Marcos’ 20 year rule.
[1] A state maintained by military power