MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Filipinos should emulate Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., saying the country needs more citizens like him to steer the country towards a brighter future.
Duterte made this remark as the country commemorated the 35th death anniversary of the former senator on August 21.
“In this time of real and lasting change, we need more citizens like him so we can steer our country towards the direction where a brighter and better future awaits us all,” Duterte said in his message.
The President also encouraged Filipinos to reflect on Aquino’s sacrifice that restored peace and democracy in the Philippines.
“His profound love of country has inspired a revolution that altered the course of our nation’s history and gave birth to the freedom we enjoy today,” Duterte said.
“Let us take this opportunity to reflect on his sacrifice as we honor the courage and patriotism that Ninoy demonstrated during his struggle,” he added.
Duterte also urged his fellow government servants to adopt Aquino’s dedication to his cause “as a guidepost” in advancing the welfare of the Filipino people particularly the oppressed and marginalized.
He said a brighter and better tomorrow can be achieved if Filipinos will unite and work together to institute meaningful reforms that will cure social ills that have obstructed the country’s path towards becoming a mature and stable democracy.
The late senator, father of Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III and husband of the late former President Corazon Aquino, was assassinated at the then Manila International Airport when he returned to the country on Aug. 21, 1983.
The assassination of the former senator has led to the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos on Feb. 25, 1986 and catapulted Corazon Aquino to the presidency.