Corazon Aquino - 1933-2009
Filipino President and Political Reformer
From 1965 to 1986 to The Philippines was led under the strict dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, whose authoritarian rule oppressed the country's people, committed many violations of human rights and politically repressed the country with years of suspended elections. In 1983, the government assassinated their most prominent rival, Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Many women might have fled the country having lost their husband, a widow would be within her rights to shrivel into her grief in the face of such adversity... Benigno's widow, Corazon did neither. She stayed in her country and led what she called The People Power Revolution, toppling the dictatorship of Marcos three years after her husband's death.
When democracy arrived in The Philippines,
Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation.
Barack Obama, President of the USA
Corazon led the country for six years, surviving coups by communists, Marcos supporters and Muslim separatists. Her policies in office concentrated on making her country socially responsible and creating a market-driven economy. She brought huge political reform to the country, returned civil liberty and a democratic voting system.
She was adored by her people, on her death Filipino Catholics called to have Corazon canonised, believing that she had been their saint.
I have no authority on saintliness but I believe Corazon to have been a courageous revolutionary who fought for her people, for her country and for democracy, quite wonderfully.
I don't have any formula for ousting a dictator or building democracy. All I can suggest is to forget about yourself and just think of your people. It's always the people who make things happen.
Corazon Aquino
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