LP solons seek ‘Cory Aquino Day’ declaration
By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
MANILA, Philippines – Members of the Liberal Party in the House of Representatives have proposed a “Cory Aquino Day” for the former President whom they hailed as a “great leader and heroine.”
Under Joint Resolution No. 40 filed Monday, 18 LP members proposed the declaration of “Cory Aquino Day” every January 25, the late President’s birthday.
Aquino, 76, passed away on August 1 after more than a year of battling colon cancer.
The resolution said it was fitting to mourn the passing of the former leader, condole with the Aquino family, and “uphold and protect democracy for which President Aquino lived and fought for.”
Aquino was married to the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., one of the stalwarts of LP, who served as its secretary general from 1969 until his assassination in 1983. Their son, Benigno III, an incumbent senator, is also an LP member.
“She’s known to be not just the Philippines’ but Asia’s Joan of Arc of Democracy… She never really wanted to lead but when asked to, she never wavered and restored democracy in this nation,” the resolution said.
And when it was time to “pass the baton,” Aquino selflessly did so to her successor.
“Even as a private citizen, she was the moral compass of the country, serving as a beacon to thwart attempts to curtail democracy and a leading figure in the fight for good governance. She was the nation’s pillar of strength and unity, in life and even in death. The nation lost a great leader and heroine,” it added.
The LP lawmakers hailed Aquino for the peaceful transition to democracy, for having a Constitution that asserted the country’s sovereignty and was imbued with nationalist ideals, for instituting the comprehensive agrarian reform program, for mothballing the highly-questionable and over-priced and debt-ridden Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, and for her efforts to advance the peace process with the insurgents.
The resolution was signed by Representatives Lorenzo R. Tañada III, Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, Maria Evita R. Arago, Proceso J. Alcala, Rozzano Rufino R. Biazon, Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon, Liwayway V. Chato, Glenn A. Chong, Solomon R. Chungalao,Paul R. Daza, Antonio A. Del Rosario, Magtanggol T. Gunigundo, Manuel N. Mamba, Hermilando I. Mandanas, Alvin S. Sandoval, Niel C. Tupas, jr., Alfonso V. Umali Jr., and Reynaldo S. Uy.
LP solons seek ‘Cory Aquino Day’ declaration
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Do we declare holidays because we recognize the person, or are we doing this to ride on the publicity?
