Robredo: 'Draw inspiration from Ninoy's story'
Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday urged the Filipino people to “draw inspiration” from the story of Benigno “Ninoy” Simeon Aquino Jr. amid the various challenges that the country faces today.
On Ninoy’s 37th death anniversary, Robredo enjoined the public not to forget his death and “what it meant” for the country.
“Today, as we endure yet another dark night, we draw inspiration from Ninoy's story: from his courage, from his steadfast faith in our people, from his heroism,” she said in her message.
Robredo reminded how Ninoy "was murdered before he even set foot on the tarmac, coming home from exile to continue the struggle for our freedoms and dignities.”
She added how he was killed “for speaking truth to power; for believing that we deserve better as a people; and for hoping, and acting on that hope, and being brave enough to lay down his life for that hope.”
Robredo said the Filipino should always “remember what his death meant for the entire nation.”
As the country grappled with various challenges, she urged the public not to give up and continue fighting.
“Sa halip na matakot, lalo tayong tumapang. Sa halip na sumuko, nagkaisa tayo at tumindig (Instead of being afraid, we become more courageous. Instead of giving up, we united and stood up,)” she said.
In Ninoy’s death, Robredo noted how the Filipino realized we are all bound together.
“Namulat tayong magkakarugtong ang diwa natin— na ang sistemang kayang pumaslang sa isa ay sistemang kayang pumaslang sa lahat (We have come to realize that our spirit is intertwined — that the system that can kill one is a system that can kill all),” she added.
Robredo said in Ninoy’s death "we found solidarity; we found the strength to take the first steps towards a freer, fairer, more humane society; we found hope, and the courage to stake our lives on that hope, just as he did."
Just like how Ninoy “believed in a better future for Filipinos even when it was not easy,” Robredo reminded everyone to not to lose hope amid challenging times.
“Through long years of imprisonment, separation from his family, suffering, and exile, he clung to the unshakable belief that the dark night would pass and dawn would break over the land he loved,” she said.
Robredo also underscored the importance of sharing the sentiment and belief that things should be better and things can get better.
“Our strength as a nation emanates from our collective resolve to do what we can to move towards this better horizon,” she ended.