"I believe that the Filipino will respond to the call of greatness not by coercion but by persuasion, not by intimidation but through the ways of freedom."
This quote from the late Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was posted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on its social media page on Aug. 21 as it joined the country in commemorating the “Ninoy Aquino Day.”
Ninoy, the husband of the late President Corazon C. Aquino and the father of late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, was assassinated on Aug. 21, 1983 after he returned to the Philippines from the United States. Ninoy was a well-known critic of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, and his death spurred the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.
"Sa ating paggunita sa Ninoy Aquino Day, ating pagnilayan ang kanyang katapangan at buong-pusong pagsasakripisyo sa ngalan ng kalayaan ng bayan. Naging ehemplo rin siya ng pagpapahalaga sa dignidad at karapatan ng mga Pilipino, (As we commemorate Ninoy Aquino Day, let us reflect on his courage and wholehearted sacrifice in the name of the people's freedom. He also became an example of valuing the dignity and rights of Filipinos)," the CHR said.
The late Senator Aquino also said that he would never be able to forgive himself if he lived with the knowledge that he "could have done something" and he chose not to do anything, the CHR said.
“This attitude is exactly what Filipinos need in this day and age when human rights are continuously being violated and trampled upon,” it said.
"Katulad ng ipinamalas ni Ninoy Aquino sa kanyang gawa, pagsikapan nating mabuhay para sa mabuting hangarin; tumindig para sa katotohanan at hustisya; at gawin ang ating makakaya para sa mga naisasantabi at napag-iiwanan sa lipunan, (As Ninoy Aquino demonstrated in his work, let us strive to live for good intentions; stand up for truth and justice; and do our best for those who are marginalized and left behind in society)," it added.