The Death That Gave Birth to the Revolution

Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. is not a hero. He was a politician. As a member of one of the most powerful political dynasties of the country, like any other politician, he was not perfect, there were some who liked him, and some who didn't. Though, during his time, he has shown his love and patriotism for the Philippines, proving that he is very much deserving of having a day where the country can honor his legacy, and thank him for what he has done for the Filipino people. After all, Ninoy Aquino is more than just the reason why we have a long weekend, he is the reason why us Filipinos managed to gather the courage to come together and end one of the most terrifying moments in our history: Martial Law.

Written by: Maria Althea Tirzah Ferrer

Layout by: Francheska Shieniah Mercado

August 21, 2023 | 3:15 P.M.

“In order to commemorate the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. August twenty-one of every year is hereby declared as the Ninoy Aquino Day which shall be a national non-working holiday.” [REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9256, Section 1]

Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was killed on this same day, 40 years ago. Aquino had just arrived in the Philippines from the United States after a nearly three-year self imposed exile; he was shot in the head as he was stepping down from the plane. The second that the gun went off, the remaining few threads holding our country back had finally snapped, and what is now known as one of the most significant revolutions in our country started taking place. 

Though, let us not get ahead of ourselves. Before Ninoy was a leader of opposition against the Marcos regime, he was a politician. The Aquinos were famous in the military and government; his grandfather was a general in Emilio Aguinaldo’s army, his father was in office during the reign of Presidents Manuel L. Quezon and Jose P. Laurel, and, later on, his wife and son both became presidents of the Philippines. It was no surprise that he was elected mayor, then vice governor, governor, secretary general, then senator. During his time as a senator, he was known for being a loud critic of the Marcos regime. He first started by making comments about Imelda Marcos’ first project, the Cultural Center, and labeling the First Lady herself as a “megalomaniac, with a penchant to captivate," during his speech in 1969. This was only the beginning of the long history of confrontations and attacks between Aquino and the Marcoses. 

When the late Dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared Martial Law in 1972, Aquino was one of the first to be arrested. He was charged for murder, illegal possession of firearms, and subversion. His trial lasted for several years, during which he decided to go on a hunger strike to protest the injustice of his trial. He would be dragged to his tribunal sessions, while he suffered from cramps and chills, and his health and strength gravely deteriorated. He ended his strike on the 40th day, thanks to his family’s insistence and pleas. As impressive and symbolic of a gesture that was, it did nothing to speed up his trial, and so he stayed imprisoned for years to come.

On November 25, 1977, he was declared guilty on all charges and was sentenced to death by a firing squad. But after international outrage, Marcos Sr. was forced to reduce and change his sentence.

Ninoy Aquino would have probably rotted to death in his prison cell if it weren’t for a heart attack in 1980. He was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center, and it was discovered that he had a blocked artery. He needed immediate and trustworthy medical attention. The ‘immediate’ part was easy, it was the ‘trustworthy’ part that Aquino had problems with. He refused to be treated in the Philippines, paranoid of the Marcoses’ duplicity. So, after a secret visit by Imelda Marcos, Aquino allegedly had to agree to the family’s conditions: that he was to return to his cell immediately, and that he would not speak ill about the Marcoses in America. But, immediately after recovering, he turned back on the agreement and stated, “A pact with the devil is no pact at all." He and his family settled in Massachusetts for nearly three years during which he traveled the country and delivered speeches criticizing and all-out attacking the Marcos government at rallies. In 1983, he decided to return to the Philippines, and make sure that the country would not resign themselves to a life ruled by the Marcoses, devoid of democracy and freedom. Moreover, he wanted to at least try changing Marcos’ mind, and make him consider stepping down and allowing a peaceful government to take over. Going back wasn’t easy though, as Marcos threatened every international airline that dared bring him back, but Aquino was not easily frightened. No government could have stopped him from returning back to his home land.

On August 21, 1983, he landed at the Manila International Airport and while walking down the boarding stairs, was promptly shot in the head by a hitman. The man may have died, but his legacy lives. In our history books, and in the hearts of the brave Filipinos who participated in the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Aquino's story could have ended in so many different ways. He could have led a long and happy life with his family in Massachusetts, allowing whatever may happen to the Philippines happen, or he could have stayed quiet and left his political life behind. And yet, despite harnessing the ability to lead a quiet life, Ninoy chose to fight for the Philippines and come back, even though he knows what awaits him in his home land. Aquino proved to everyone just how much he loved the Philippines. He knew very well the risks of coming back, the risks of speaking up about such a powerful and dangerous political family, yet he persevered and faced it all with his head held high. That is why the revolution happened. Because of him, the Filipino people found the strength to stand up for themselves and overthrow a government that they have fallen victim to for years. As we commemorate his death anniversary, may we be reminded of the reason why a brave man that is Benigno Aquino, Jr. said that “The Filipino is worth dying for.”