The Filipino is Democracy’s Hero
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D.
|
| |
“The Filipino is worth dying for.” Whose words are these?
At that time when he penned those immortal words, little did he know that one day, his
motherland’s people, his beloved birthplace would rise in droves to go to the polls to ensure
that the person who would obtain their vote on May 10, 2010 would be his own namesake,
Benigno Aquino III.
Ninoy (Benigno Aquino II), the much-loved hero who was ‘on exile’ in America from his
homeland did not cease to work and pray then for his fellow Filipinos. His return flight on
August 21, 1983 has told and retold how Ninoy loved his native land and how, despite non-
stop warnings not to board that Philippine-bound flight back, defied all concerns for his life.
Indeed, Ninoy Aquino shunted aside all pleas to thwart his return to his country so others
may live.
As the ballots continue to be tallied nationwide, the awe-inspiring news is how the Filipino
voter is paying tribute to Noynoy, Cory’s and Ninoy’s son. The Filipino people have not
forgotten how Noynoy’s parents restored democracy to their island nation a little more than a
generation ago.
The all-pervading theme of anti-corruption, the signal vow of Noynoy, is in line with what the
Philippine citizenry has been hankering for decades and decades in their indescribable fight
for righteousness. In their struggle against the rising wave of crime lords. In their undying
passion for a civil society that was written in the annals of Philippine history and in their
respect for the heroes of yesteryear, they who strove for the liberty and independence of the
Philippines to acquire a rightful place in the sun.
Some Philippine voices referred to Noynoy Aquino as one who is not learned; not one with
advanced degrees. The Philippines does not need a walking encyclopedia. What good is
book knowledge when it is not translated to action?
Every man, woman and child in the Philippines is cognizant of the worsening situation that has
evolved incessantly over a dozen years of maladministration. There were close to three
years of ‘bumbling and plunder’ attributed to a former chief executive, they called friend of the
poor, impeached for corruption, but was on the receiving end of presidential pardon in 2007;
yet, he still had the temerity to aspire for the presidency anew.
Malacanang’s current occupant has defined the meaning of occupying a post for some nine
and a half years whose unspeakable features are reportedly: “immoderate greed,
unconscionable extravagance, and brazen abuse of power.” Tragically, writers have identified
that position too as a lust for power because it is boundless.
Children of the chief occupant in the Palace have the identity as the “First Children.” As
narratives go relevant to that category, there has been no ill word about Noynoy and his
siblings. They, it was learned, did not partake of the presidential palace’s luxuries unlike
those before them surnamed Marcos, Estrada and Arroyo. Nobody, absolutely nobody has
named the Aquino Family as one who had arrogated unto themselves prerogatives and
privileges that went with their “First Family” membership.
As deadline time for this paper inches itself into reality, along with our former home’s
countrymen, I salute the Filipino voter who has made it possible to restore the people’s will: to
see that the person who gets their vote receives it; neither rain nor shine, nor hunger nor
thirst, nor physical distance (for those who voted abroad) stood in the way for that all-
important vote to fulfill its mission.
“The Filipino has deep, strong courage… He has courage enough to die for his friends..He
loves God with all his heart…” In a few words, Father James B. Reuter, S.J. (who will turn 94
on May 21st) describes the Filipino.
A posting by the New York Times, an initial story on the May 10, 2010 Philippine elections is
extremely encouraging: “Aquino Son Takes Lead in Philippines.”
May that formidable and convincing lead continue for the sake of all who trace themselves to
their Filipino ancestry, they who love democracy and who continue to embrace democracy
wherever they may be!
|
| |
| |
|
