Deputy minority leader and Basilan lone district Rep. Mujiv Hataman extolled the late former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino on the occasion of her 13th death anniversary on Monday, Aug. 1.

In a statement, Hataman highlighted the "shining example" of Aquino, who led the country out of dark times when democracy was jn question.
"Ating ginugunita ang buhay ng isang taong malaki ang papel sa pagpapanumbalik ng demokrasya sa ating bansa (We celebrate the life of a person who had a huge role in bringing back democracy to our country)," Hataman said.
"Si dating Pangulong Cory Aquino ay isang magandang ehemplo ng isang lingkod-bayan na hangad lamang ay ang kung anong makakabuti sa ating bayan (Ex-President Cory Aquino is a shining example of a public servant who wanted nothing but what was good for the nation)," said the Liberal Party (LP) stalwart.
Referring to Aquino, Hataman said: "Hindi naging lango sa kapangyarihan at tahimik na bumaba sa puwesto matapos maisaayos ang demokrasya at mapagtibay ang ating mga democratic institutions (Never drunk with power, she quietly stepped down after restoring democracy and strengthening our democratic institutions)."
"Maraming salamat, President Cory, sa iniwan mong legacy ng demokrasya sa ating bayan (Thank you very much, President Cory, for the legacy of democracy that you left our country)," he further said.
Aquino died on Aug. 1, 2009 due to colon cancer.