(UPDATED) On the 37th death anniversary of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr, Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo said Filipinos can look to the democracy icon for courage to create a better and fairer Philippines.

In her message for Ninoy Aquino Day, August 21, Robredo said Aquino died for “speaking truth to power” and daring to believe Filipinos deserved better than the Marcos dictatorship.

“Most of all, we remember what his death meant for the entire nation. Sa halip na matakot, lalo tayong tumapang. Sa halip na sumuko, nagkaisa tayo at tumindig (Instead of becoming fearful, we became braver. Instead of giving up, we united and took a stand),” said Robredo.

Through Aquino’s assassination on August 21, 1983, on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, Filipinos realized how “a system that can kill one person is a system that can kill everyone,” said the Vice President.

“In this realization, 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,” Robredo added.

Filipinos can take a page from Aquino’s book, especially amid a pandemic that is causing widespread suffering. Robredo recalled Aquino’s imprisonment, long exile from his family and homeland, culminating in his murder.

“He clung to the unshakeable belief that the dark night would pass and dawn would break over the land he loved. This is a sentiment that we all hold – that things should be better, and things can get better,” said Robredo.

Aquino’s death sparked the EDSA People Power Revolution 3 years later which led to the toppling of the Marcos dictatorship. His widow, Corazon Aquino, became president. His son, Benigno III or Noynoy, also later on became Philippine president from 2010 to 2016.

Noynoy and Robredo are from the same political party, the Liberal Party. Robredo is currently its chairperson while Noynoy is its chairman emeritus.

Duterte, who sees the Liberal Party as the opposition and has often accused it of plotting to oust him, released his own Ninoy Aquino Day message.

Remember Plaza Miranda bombing

The Liberal Party, in their Ninoy Aquino Day message, reminded Filipinos that August 21 is also the anniversary of the Plaza Miranda bombing.

On August 21, 1971, bombs were thrown at the Liberaly Party’s miting de avance in Plaza Miranda, in front of iconic Quiapo Church in Manila, killing 9 people.

The bombing was used by Marcos as one of the reasons for declaring martial law, a repressive regime that led to widespread human rights abuses and the plundering of public coffers.

The political party said the tragedy forged their group’s identity, an identity that is “ready to be at the frontlines of a fight for what is right, regardless of the danger this poses.” – Rappler.com