Eleven years after the passing of President Corazon ‘’Cory’’ C. Aquino, opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan today recalled how the late President was a symbol of hope in times of crisis.

“Over 30 years ago we were facing a grave political and societal crisis, one we overcame only through uniting in People Power. President Cory was the light that shone in that darkness. Hindi natin mapigilang alalahanin ito ngayong kinakaharap natin ang pinakamalalang krisis ng ating henerasyon (We cannot help but recall the past as we face the most difficult crisis now),” he said.

"Sa taongbayang nanindigan kumuha ng lakas sa Cory. Hindi sa militar ni Marcos, hindi sa dami ng mga trapong pulitiko na loyalista ng diktador, hindi sa media na kontrolado at hawak sa leeg ng rehimen. Sa kanyang pananalig sa Diyos at sa taongbayang kumilos at nanindigan siya sumandal at humugot ng tapang at lakas sa panahon ng matinding krisis (President Cory drew her strength from the people. Not the military rule of Marcos, not the big number of traditional politicians loyal to the dictator, not the media controlled and held by the neck by the Marcos regime. She faced the crisis through her faith in the Lord and the populace that stood up),” he said. 

A student-activist during martial law and eventually elected as the first UP Student Regent with voting power after EDSA, Pangilinan stressed the parallels between that time and now. 

“The economy was badly depleted. Hundreds were killed. Corruption ran rampant. ABS-CBN was shut down. Press freedom was curtailed. It was a crisis of democracy. Those were the concerns President Cory had to face upon assuming Presidency, one she faced with courage and dignity. The only difference is that, at present, we’re facing a pandemic on top of it all,” Pangilinan said. 

“Sa kalaban natin ngayon, ang kailangan ay maayos na sistema, malinaw na pagdedesisyon, pakikinig sa mga eksperto. Walang mangyayari sa atin kung patuloy na mamumuno ang mga nagdedesisyon ngayon (We need an orderly system; clear decision and adoption of the views of experts are what need. Nothing good will come out if the rulers follow the current so-called decision-makers),” he said. 

Pangilinan’s statement came after President Duterte announced yesterday the extension of a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

However, over 40 medical societies called for the implementation of a the strict Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to allow frontline medical workers respite from the onslaught of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in hospitals.

The Philippines yesterday reported a record-high 4,063 new cases, the first time the country breached 4,000 cases in a day.

It now has a total 93,354 reported COVID cases.