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Posts tagged as “Ninoy Aquino Day”

Remembering Ninoy Aquino Jr. – Four Decades After His Sacrifice

A little background
Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was a Filipino politician who served as a senator of the Philippines and governor of the province of Tarlac. He was a leading politician from the opposition and was critical of then President Ferdinand Marcos. His arrest on the evening of September 22, 1972, signaled the implementation of then President Ferdinand Marcos’ Proclamation Number 1081 that placed the Philippines under martial law. In November 1977, a military court convicted him of murder and subversion charges and sentenced him to death. He went on a 40-day hunger strike to profess his innocence.

In 1980, he suffered a heart attack and was brought to the hospital. In a surprise visit, then First Lady Imelda Marcos told him he could seek treatment in the United States. While in Boston, Massachusetts with his family for three years, he delivered lectures that focused on his advocacy for the Philippines’ return to democracy. The text of the statement he had prepared to deliver upon his return to the Philippines later became available. He dared Marcos to “order my immediate execution or set me free.” He said, “national reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers.” He proposed that “the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.” He said that subversion could not be stopped with repression but with “a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom.”

The Assassination
On August 21, 1983, Ninoy Aquino was assassinated on the tarmac of Manila International Airport upon his return from self-imposed exile in Boston. His death galvanized the political opposition and led to the EDSA People Power uprising in 1986. His widow Corazon became the 11th President of the Republic. The Filipino people ratified a new Constitution in 1987 to enshrine the restoration of democracy.

Today marks the 40th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino. It is fitting that the country’s principal gateway to international travelers has been named after him. In 2004, the date of his assassination, Aug. 21, was declared a national holiday (Republic Act 9256). Ninoy Aquino’s spirit continues to shine as a beacon of hope, reminding us that the struggle for a better future is worth every effort.

Ninoy Aquino’s legacy is one that will always be remembered by Filipinos around the world. His courage and sacrifice inspired millions to fight for democracy and freedom in their own countries. As we commemorate his death anniversary today, let us remember his words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.”

These are the official regular and special Philippine holidays for 2023

In a signed Proclamation 42, Malacañang releases lists of holidays for 2023.

Regular Holidays

  • January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day
  • April 9 (Sunday) – Araw ng Kagitingan
  • April 6 – Maundy Thursday
  • April 7 – Good Friday
  • May 1 (Monday) – Labor Day
  • June 12 (Monday) – Independence Day
  • August 28 (last Monday of August) – National Heroes Day
  • November 30 (Thursday) – Bonifacio Day
  • December 25 (Monday) – Christmas Day
  • December 30 (Saturday) – Rizal Day

Special Non-Working Days

  • February 1 (Tuesday) – Chinese New Year
  • February 25 (Saturday) – EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary
  • April 8 – Black Saturday
  • August 21 (Monday) – Ninoy Aquino Day
  • November 1 (Wednesday) – All Saints’ Day
  • December 8 (Friday) – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary
  • December 31 (Sunday) – Last Day of the Year

Additional Special Non-Working Day

  • November 2 (Thursday) – All Souls’ Day

Islamic holiday Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be declared once the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined, in the accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijri).

Proclamation 42 emphasizes the need to commemorate the 37th anniversary (February 25) of the Edsa People Power Revolution “which ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country.” as well as August 21 of every year must also be declared as national non-working holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr..