'Daang Matuwid' to continue after PNoy; LP says the rest now up to Filipinos

The Liberal Party (LP) said the late President Benigno Aquino III may have passed away but the journey of the "Daang Matuwid" (Straight Path) will continue.

The LP made the statement following Aquino's death on Thursday, June 24, to renal disease secondary to diabetes. He was 61.

In a statement, the LP said Aquino, more commonly known as PNoy, can rest easy knowing that he left the world better than when he found it.

"Madalas sabihin ni PNoy sa kanyang mga talumpati ang kanyang layunin (PNoy always used to say in his speeches his mission): To leave the world better than when he found it. PNoy may rest in peace knowing that in every aspect within his control, the country was better through his leadership. The rest is up to us," it said.

"Magpapahinga na si PNoy sa kaniyang biyahe, pero tuloy pa rin, palagi, ang Daang Matuwid (PNoy will now rest from his journey but the Straight Path will always continue)," it added.

With his passing, the LP said the country lost one of the finest examples of what a President should be and that the public will know this once the disinformation about Aquino ceases.

"With his passing, the country lost one of the finest examples of what a President should be: Someone whose integrity cannot be questioned, who had foresight and will, who never stole, whose actions aligned with his words," it said.

"When the veneer of disinformation fades and history holds everyone to account, Filipinos will realize what they had lost today," it added.

According to LP, PNoy was hard on the corrupt but was inclusive in empowering the people. While the party grew in numbers, even those from other parties enjoyed fair processes for their projects.

"Gaya ng lagi, basta makakatulong sa Pilipino, isinulong ni PNoy nang walang nakikitang political colors (As always, as long as it will help Filipinos, PNoy will advance it sans political colors)," the party said.

"Mabuting tao si PNoy, at pinabuti ni PNoy ang buhay ng Pilipino. Napakarami niyang natulungan. Ibinigay niya ang lahat para mapaglingkuran tayo (PNoy is a good person and he made the Filipinos' lives better. He helped a lot and gave his all to serve us)," it added.

The Liberal Party also pointed out that under the Aquino administration, systemic corruption that had calcified for generations began to be dismantled. It cited in particular how the use of wang-wang (sirens), a "symbol of abuse by the powerful," was prohibited during PNoy's term.

"Iginalang tayo ng buong mundo (The entire world had respect for us): Filipinos the world over could hold their head up high, knowing that the country was on an upward trajectory and that the topmost level of government was conducting itself with honor," the LP said.