Ninoy Aquino Day (Assassination video here)

Ninoy Aquino Day is a national non-working holiday in the Philippines observed annually on August 21, commemorating the anniversary of the 1983 assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.. He was the husband of Corazon Cojunagco Aquino, who was later to become Philippine President; both are treated as two of the heroes of democracy in the country. His assassination led to the downfall of the Dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos on February 25, 1986, through the People Power Revolution.

Unlike other dates reserved for national heroes of the Philippines (like Bonifacio Day, Rizal Day, Araw ng Kagitingan, and National Heroes Day), the date is not a “regular holiday” but only a “non-working holiday”. (Wikipedia)

History

Aquino was a well-known opposition figure and critic of the then-President Ferdinand Marcos. Due to his beliefs, he was later imprisoned for about eight years after martial law was declared in the country. Even in his imprisonment, he sought a parliamentary seat for Metro Manila in the Interim Batasang Pambansa, under the banner of the Lakas ng Bayan (LABAN). He eventually led in the opinion polls and was initially leading the electoral count but eventually lost to the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) slate led by First Lady Imelda Marcos. Aquino remained in prison but continued to fight for democracy in the country and against the oppression of the Filipino people. After suffering from a heart attack in March 1980, he and his family moved to the United States for medical treatment, eventually leading to his self-imposed exile for about three years. There, he continued his advocacy by giving speeches to the Filipino-American communities.^[1] Later, he planned to return to the islands to challenge Marcos for the parliamentary elections in 1984. Though some did not feel this was a good idea, he still did so in 1983. Upon returning to the Philippines at the Manila International Airport (now renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor), he was shot and died on August 21, 1983 as he was escorted off an airplane by security personnel. This led to several protests at his funeral that sparked snap presidential elections in 1986, which led to the 1986 EDSA Revolution, catapulting his wife, Cory Aquino, to the presidency.

Actual Video of Aquino’s assassination

   

 

The 115th Philippine Independence Day

In the afternoon of June 12, 1898, General Emilio F. Aguinaldo solemnly proclaimed at the historic balcony of his ancestral house on Calle Real in Kawit, Cavite, the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of the Philippines. He then proudly waved the Philippine flag, sewn in Hong Kong by Doña Marcela M. Agoncillo, amidst thunderous applause and shouts of Mabuhay ang Kalayaan ng Pilipinas! The San Francisco de Malabon band played the tune of the National Anthem of the Philippines called Marcha Filipina at that time. Most of the people who witnessed the momentous event were barefoot military personnel wearing shirts and red trousers, wide-brimmed straw hats, and carrying captured rifles with bolos hanging from their waists. The group of civilian visitors who rode in horse-drawn carriages wore ties and dark coats befitting the solemn occasion.

The declaration of Philippine independence from the colonial rule of Spain concluded the Philippine Revolution. Philippine independence, however, was neither recognized by the United States of America (USA) nor by Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippine archipelago to the United States under the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War. Then the USA granted independence to the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946 under the Treaty of Manila.

On September 29, 1898, the Malolos Congress formally ratified the Declaration of Independence, which had been adopted by the assembly of local officials in Bacoor, Cavite, on August 1 of the same year. In that meeting, a resolution was adopted, calling on the President of the Philippines to take steps to secure from foreign powers their recognition of the independence of the Philippines. Thus, the Revolutionary Government, on August 6, 1898, sent diplomatic notes to foreign nations, requesting then to accord formal recognition to the Philippines as a free and independent nation.On July 4, 1901, the USA established a civilian colonial government in Manila. The following year, also on July 4, which was the American Independence Day, U.S. President Theodore B. Roosevelt declared the end of the Philippine-American War. On July 4, 1946, after nearly 50 years of American colonial rule, broken only by more than three years of Japanese occupation, the USA recognized the independence of the Philippines in ceremonies held in front of the Legislative Building. The proclamation fulfilled the American policy of independence provided by the Tydings-McDuffie Law of 1934. July 4 was celebrated as Philippine Independence Day, until President Diosdado P. Macapagal decided in 1962 to commemorate June 12, 1898, instead as Araw ng Kalayaan. President Ferdinand E. Marcos who succeeded Macapagal later proclaimed July 4 as the “Philippine-American Friendship Day.”

The declaration of Philippine Independence Day marked the Filipinos’ exercise of their right to self-determination, liberty, and independence. It was a legitimate assertion by the Filipino nation of its natural and inalienable claim to freedom and independence, which is an inherent right of every people, not dependent upon the will and discretion of another.

We congratulate the government of the Republic of the Philippines headed by H. E. President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on the occasion of the 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day. Mabuhay ang Araw ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas!

 

Published: June 9, 2013: Philippine Panorama by Manila Bulletin

 

Kris Aquino running for VP in 2016?

She may have said goodbye to showbiz in a surprise dramatic move recently, but actress and presidential sister Kris Aquino may have bigger plans, a prelate said. Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz on Tuesday urged the actress’ camp to clarify rumors that she is being groomed to be incumbent DILG Sec. Mar Roxas’ running mate in the 2016 presidential race. (ph.news.yahoo)

“Formerly it was only in whispers, now it has become more commonly said and heard that the youngest sister of the president of the republic will also run as vice-president of the republic come 2016,” Cruz said. The prelate cited “credible” sources from President Benigno S. Aquino III’s camp, as he noted that “those concerned better address this matter.” “If it’s not true then they should say it so that it will stop once and for all but if there is silence, that means there is consent,” Cruz said.
Rumors on Kris Aquino’s candidacy had begun circulating in January, Cruz said, adding that they are bound to continue until the actress’ camp responds. Speculations have also been sparked anew after Kris Aquino resigned from all her showbiz engagements last month amid renewed conflicts with her former husband, basketball star James Yap. This is not the first time reports floated the possibility of Kris Aquino’s foray into politics. The actress herself announced in 2010 that she has plans to run for Tarlac governor in 2016.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda laughed the rumors off, however, even as he noted that he is not aware of Kris Aquino’s plans. “We’d rather not talk on that because, primarily, I have not discussed anything with Ms. Kris Aquino,” Lacierda said in a press briefing Wednesday. “She has made a decision right now to do—to be at peace, to live quietly, so let’s allow her some space,” he added. The Cabinet official went on to say that he hopes “the good bishop will not engage in ‘chika.'”  “Some people as they grow old they become elder statesmen; some people when they grow old they become rumormongers,” Lacierda quipped.

Cruz had clarified, however, that he has nothing against the presidential sister. “I’m not saying she’s not capable,” the retired Lingayen archbishop said. “If she’s going to run, let her run because it takes so little requirement to be a public official in this country. You are a Filipino citizen, you know how to read and write,” he added.
Cruz even said the actress has a chance to beat her opponents should she decide to run.ctress has a chance to beat her opponents should she decide to run. “She’s an actress and the Filipino electorate in general likes actors and actresses–Like Lito Lapid,” he added, referring to actor-turned-Senator Lito Lapid. “The thing is I say this as of today because tomorrow they might say no more. So I’m not saying that she will do it in 2016, I’m just saying that up to now, this is what is being said,” Cruz said.

By Kim Arveen Patria
Original post here

 

Remembering EDSA 1: February 22-25, 1986

For those asking if February 25, 2013 is a holiday, YES, it’s a national holiday. But whether you’ll be sad or happy depends on whether you’re still in school. While EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary is a national holiday, it’s only for schools. It means no classes for students. It also means it’s a regular working day if you’re no longer a student. Gone are the days when February 25 was a national holiday for all.

What was the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution (EDSA 1) all about?

EDSA in 1986 was a nationwide civil uprising against then dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos, with President Corazon “Cory” Aquino succeeding in a revolutionary government.

EDSA 1 is extra-constitutional. EDSA 1 involves the “exercise of the people power of revolution which overthrew the whole government”. The Aquino government was the result of a successful revolution (although a peaceful one) by the sovereign people. No less than the Freedom Constitution (Proclamation No. 3) declared that the Aquino government was installed through a direct exercise of the power of the Filipino people “in defiance of the provisions of the 1973 Constitution, as amended.

The original People Power, the one which inspired the whole world and became a model for peaceful transitions of governments, was the culmination of the years of protest against the government of President Ferdinand Marcos.

The protests were already existing before September 21, 1972, the date when President Marcos declared Martial Law throughout the Philippines. Many people died as a result of the abuses by the military. Many opposition personalities were arrested. One of those arrested was Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. Ninoy became a unifying force of the people’s opposition against Marcos.

Ninoy was allowed to be released from jail to undergo a heart bypass in the United States. He was warned not to go back to the Philippines. Ninoy was assasinated on August 21, 1983, as he was going down the plane upon his return to the Philippines. Instead of diffusing the mounting unrest against Marcos, the assasination of Ninoy only served to add more fuel to the highly combustible and raw emotions against Marcos.

To put some semblance of legitimacy to his government, President Marcos called for a snap election in February 1986. His opponent in the elections was a simple housewife with no government experience. The opposition Presidential candidate goes by the name of Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the wife of Ninoy. Some say the 1986 Presidential election was the most corrupt and deceitful election in Philippine history.

On February 15, 1986, the Batasang Pambansa declared Marcos as the winner, with 10,807,197 votes as against Aquino’s 9,291,761. The rest of the country, however, was convinced that massive cheating marred the elections. The tally of the accredited poll watcher, the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), was 7,835,070 votes for Cory and 7,053,068 votes for Marcos.

On February 22, 1986, a group of renegade soldiers led by Juan Ponce Enrile, then Defense Minister, and Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, then Vice-Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, made a public declaration that they are withdrawing support from the government. They holed up at Camp Aguinaldo, along EDSA. Knowing that they will be annihilated by the superior forces of Marcos. Minister Enrile and Gen. Ramos called for the people’s help.

The late Jaime Cardinal Sin, then Catholic Archbishop of Manila, aired his appeal through Radio Veritas, for the people to support Gen. Ramos and Enrile.

And help they came. By the thousands, and towards the end, an estimated 6 million were on the streets.

Between February 22 to February 25, the people flocked to EDSA, facing tanks with nothing but prayers. They offered flowers and food to the battle-equipped government soldiers. Helicopters and fighter planes flew overhead. The people, though scared, stood their ground.

President Marcos left Malacanang on February 25, heading for Hawaii.

And so the world witnessed the People Power.

“The Filipino is worth dying for.”

by Ninoy Aquino
a Philippine Hero

Original posting here

 

2013 RP Holidays declared by Malacanang

President Noynoy Aquino issues Proclamation No. 459, s. 2012 declaring the following 2013 Regular and Special Non-working Holidays &
Special Holidays (for schools only).

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Araw ng Kagitingan	January 1 (Tuesday) March 28 March 29 April 9 (Tuesday)
Labor Day Independence Day National Heroes Day Bonifacio Day Christmas Day Rizal Day	May 1 (Wednesday) June 12 (Wednesday) August 26 (Last Monday of August) November 30 (Saturday) December 25 (Wednesday) December 30 (Monday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Black Saturday Ninoy Aquino Day All Saints Day Additional special (non-working) days – Last Day of the Year	March 30 August 21 (Wednesday) November 1 (Friday) November 2 (Saturday) December 24 (Tuesday) December 31 (Tuesday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary	February 25 (Monday)

Full Proclamation text here

 

Government underscores use of ‘Juan time’ in effecting change for the better

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. underscored the importance of material time in pursuing the Aquino government’s thrusts to effect change that will benefit the Filipinos and the country as part of its social contract with the citizenry.

In his brief message during the launching ceremonies of “Juan Time, the New Filipino Time”at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Friday, Coloma stressed the need to maximize every second of time in pursuing reformative steps as he urged the Filipino people to observe the new Philippine Standard Time (PST), which is always punctual in consideration of the interest of others.“Bawat buwan, bawat linggo, bawat oras, bawat minuto, bawat saglit ay mahalaga…. Kaya dapat po ay nasa oras tayo palagi… dapat alalahanin natin yung ‘Juan time, the New Filipino Time’ ang magiging Philippine Standard Time at ito ay oras ng pagbabago,” Coloma said.He also cited the government’s all out efforts to effect reforms in the country within President Aquino’s six year term of office. He encouraged the people to let go of the habit of being late.“Sa akin pong palagay ang pinakamahalagang oras ngayon na dapat nating isa-isip, isa-puso at isa-diwa ay ito: ngayon po ay oras ng pagbabago… kailangan po na magbago ang ating pananaw hinggil sa oras. Kaya po pinaaalala ko sa aking sarili, labin-limang buwan na po ang lumipas, limampu’t pitong buwan na lamang ang nalalabi sa pamahalaan ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino para tuparin ang mga pangako sa Bayang Pilipinas, apat na taon na lamang at siyam na buwan ang nalalabi,” Coloma said.

Also present during the event were other government officials led by Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in cooperation with several partners in the government and the private sector, the event aims to sync all time pieces in the country’s more than 7,100 islands to promote the nationwide use of PST, the new Philippine Standard Time.

The campaign theme “Juan Time” comes from a word play on “One Time” – with “Juan” referring to the common name for Filipinos.

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo highlighted the importance of time as a resource but often overlooked. He said that “Juan Time” also reminds people that keeping to the PST avoid the difficulties of having confusing, unsynchronized time.

Established decades ago, the PST is set by the DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 8.

The Philippine Standard Time is set through DOST-PAGASA’s timing system that consists of a rubidium atomic clock, Global Positioning System receiver, time interval counter, distribution amplifier, and a computer.

The system automatically calculates its time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view.

The Philippine Standard Time is available online at the DOST-PAGASA website: http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

 

33 Metro Manila Dengue Hotspots

ALERT!  ALERT!  ALERT! 

The Department of Health (DOH) has turned on the “emergency mode” for dengue after declaring 33 hot spots for the mosquito-borne disease in Metro Manila.  “This (hot spot status) may progress into outbreaks and we don’t want that to happen. So on Monday, we’ll be starting simultaneous massive cleanup, larvaeciding and fogging operations in these areas,” DOH director for Metro Manila Dr. Ed Janairo said yesterday. Quezon City accounts for most of the 33 hot spot areas, followed by Manila and Caloocan City.

Under the project, the DOH will work with barangay leaders and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority that will be conducting de-clogging operations in the metropolis. “We will focus first on the hot spot areas. We will kill mosquitoes and we will destroy their possible breeding sites to eliminate the larvae at the same time. We want to capture the mosquito cycle,” Janairo said. The DOH had been coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Education to enjoin community leaders, employers and school officials to support the fight against dengue.

“This will be a region-wide campaign. We will be starting at 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. When you do dredging, you drive away the mosquitoes. We have to be there when they de-clog the canals to make sure that the mosquitoes won’t fly (everywhere),” Janairo said. The agency is not advocating indiscriminate fogging operations in areas that are not critical for dengue.  “But since we are on emergency mode, fumigation will be done even in areas that are not yet hot spots for dengue. We have to do this to make sure that we curb dengue,” Janairo said. “By mid-September, we expect dengue cases to go down significantly. We hope to repeat this campaign in December so that by next year, dengue caseswill be minimized,” he said.

DOH records show that of the 45,333 dengue cases registered nationwide from Jan. 1 to Aug. 6, 10,487 cases came from Metro Manila. There were 267 deaths and 70 of them came from the National Capital Region. As this developed, President Aquino yesterday allayed public scare on dengue as he cited government efforts to contain the spread of the deadly disease by conducting massive educational campaign and distribution of mosquito trapsnationwide. Aquino said the DOH reported a reduction of dengue cases in the country from more than 60,000 in 2010 to around 40,000 cases this year. Citing DOH data, the President said an increasing number of cases were recorded in some areas but noted a decline in dengue cases from 20 to 25 percent nationwide.

Aquino was in Baguio City to lead the ceremonial lighting of energy-saving devices at Burnham Park. The President said he instructed concerned government agencies to deploy more mosquito traps developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to fight dengue. Each trap costs P10 and each household requires four traps. The trap kills 80 percent of the mosquito larvae and reduces the life of the remaining 20 percent to half. At present, the government was able to distribute 250,000 traps for use of about 60,000 households. The distribution of mosquito traps took some time as the government conducted invitation to bid, crafted rules of bidding and pre-qualification before the actual bidding for the contractors. Aquino said he already asked the chairman of the Commission on Audit to look into the processes involved to speed up the deployment of the traps. Aside from the traps, there is also a vaccine being developed to fight all four dengue strains although it has yet to be approved for actual use, the President said.

With regard to congested hospitals, he said there could be double reporting of cases because patients from other places were being brought to the National Capital Region for treatment. Meanwhile, Science Secretary Mario Montejo said they are studying the possibility of producing “tawa-tawa” tablets to fight the denguevirus. Montejo said the agency is currently conducting a study on whether “tawa-tawa” leaves can be used to increase the blood platelet level of a dengue patient. He expressed hope that in a year’s time, the tablet forms of “tawa-tawa” would already be available.

“The DOST has been able to identify the active ingredient of ‘tawa-tawa’ to help maintain the blood platelet. The next step now is to make it into powder form,” said Montejo.  Victims of dengue fever suffer a low blood platelet level that lessens their capability to fight infection. The DOST has been looking for ways on how to beat the dengue disease caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Starting tomorrow, the agency will distribute 81,000 anti-dengue kits to public elementary and high schools in the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Manila, Pasig, Pasay and Muntinlupa. The agency will also deliver mosquito traps in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet and some parts of Pangasinan. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo called on local government executives and barangay officials to conduct cleanup activities in their areas to help prevent the spread of dengue. Robredo enjoined local officials to destroy all potential mosquito-breeding sites.

By Sheila Crisostomo
with Evelyn Macairan & Mike Frialde

 

Remembering Ninoy Aquino

When Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. died 28 years ago, he showed how dying for the love of country is never a defeat but a glorious victory. He believed that in an endeavor to restore democracy in the Philippine government, one cannot let his fear of getting killed lead him towards inaction.

Because of his family’s political background, entering politics came early for Ninoy. In 1967, he became the youngest senator and the only candidate of the Liberal Party to make it to senate. He was then considered by President Ferdinand Marcos and his allies as their greatest threat, but unfortunately for them, Ninoy was not intimated by their number. He bravely exposed the anomalies carried out by the administration and warned the public of Marcos’ corrupt plans during his stay in office.

Not long after, Martial Law was declared in the country and Ninoy was one of the first arrested. As the opposition leader against Marcos, he was imprisoned for false charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms, and explicit subversion. Even under detention, Ninoy continued his plea for Marcos to step down and for a peaceful regime to take over. After seven years behind bars, however, Ninoy experienced heart attacks and was allowed by the Marcoses to have medical treatments abroad under conditions that he would return and would not speak against the Marcos regime during his stay in the United States.

In 1983, Ninoy decided to come back to the Philippines to talk to Marcos regarding the worsening political situation of the country. He knew very well that his return posed several dangers but he was willing to take the risk for the sake of his fellowmen. Despite threats from Marcos because of his continuous political involvement, Ninoy was ready to face the consequences of his actions in the struggle to attain freedom once again.

Ninoy’s assassination right after stepping down from the plane proved how Marcos was afraid of being conquered by the enemy and of losing the power he held over the entire land. It was a clear proof of injustice showing that fighting for change always comes with a cost. Having fought for his principles until the very end, Ninoy is indeed a martyr in the truest sense of the word.

Had he not been assassinated, Ninoy could have made a good president – a leader who puts his people before anything else and acts upon the boundaries of justice. Surveys during his time showed that Filipinos actually wanted Ninoy for president after Marcos’ term ended. However, every politician has his own detractors and Ninoy was no exception. Even with his clean intentions, many saw him as a representative of the familial elites who are still dominating Philippine politics today. Whether that was the case, it still cannot be denied that his assassination led to the fall of a dictator who abused the rights of the Filipino people.

As the country celebrates Ninoy Aquino Day, may we not only consider it as another holiday but instead honor Ninoy’s heroic deeds as one of the country’s most influential leaders. Especially now that our new president is his very own son, it is crucial to look back on the past and understand what it really means to be a good example. President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, albeit having been in office for only more than a year now, must already remember that family ties will only take him so far and thus he should not rely too much on both his parents’ legacy.

Indeed, the Filipinos are worth dying for in the same way that they are worth living for. At the end of the day, we all point back to Ninoy’s heroism for starting change in the country and putting the Philippine government back to a democratic state. It might have been through rough roads over the recent years, but as long as you remain our hero, we will continue working together for the betterment of the country. You were, you are, and will always be the Filipinos’ inspiration to fight and never stop fighting.

By Cy Yambao
updated for 2011