A Simba armored fighting vehicle bedecked with flowers and with soldiers and a military chaplain on board was among the features of the reenactment of the famous 1986 “Salubungan” in front of the Corinthian Gardens along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday (Feb. 25, 2016). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday morning lashed out at those saying the Marcos years were the “golden age” of the Philippines.
“Napapailing na lang ako, dahil may nagsasabi raw na ang panahon ni Ginoong Marcos ang siyang ‘golden age’ ng Pilipinas. Siguro golden days para sa kanya—matapos masagad ang termino, gumawa siya ng paraan na kumapit sa kapangyarihan,” he said.
“Golden age nga po siguro noon para sa mga crony ni Ginoong Marcos, at sa mga dikit sa kanya,” Aquino added.
Aquino, only son of popular opposition leader Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino, said the government’s debt ballooned to P192.2 billion after Marcos’ term.
He also cited several abuses committed by the Marcos regime against the Moro people, and the so-called brain drain during that period.
“Sa nagsasabing hindi dapat sisihin si Ginoong Marcos sa mga pangyayari sa ilalim ng kanyang rehimen, ang tugon natin: Hindi ba kung sinamsam mo ang lahat ng kapangyarihan, dapat angkinin mo rin ang lahat ng responsibilidad?” he said.
“Hayagan kong sinasabi ngayon, bilang bahagi ng henerasyong pinagdusa ng diktadurya: Hindi golden age ang panahon ni Ginoong Marcos. Isa itong napakasakit na yugto ng ating kasaysayan,” Aquino said.
“Gusto ko nga pong idiin: Hindi kathang-isip ang lahat ng ito. Hindi ito teorya o pananaw ng iilan lang. Totoong naganap ang Martial Law. May isang diktador, kasama ng kanyang pamilya at mga crony, na nagpakasasa sa puwesto, at ang naging kapalit nito, mismong buhay at kalayaan ng Pilipino,” Aquino said.
Aquino gave this speech at the 30th anniversary rites of the EDSA People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument.
Bongbong hit
A Simba armored fighting vehicle bedecked with flowers and with soldiers and a military chaplain on board was among the features of the reenactment of the famous 1986 “Salubungan” in front of the Corinthian Gardens along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday (Feb. 25, 2016). (MNS photo)
He also lashed out at the Marcos family, particularly Sen. Bongbong Marcos, for refusing to apologize for the abuses committed during martial law.
“Ang kadugo ng diktador, puwedeng sinabing, ‘Nagkamali ang aking ama; bigyan niyo kami ng pagkakataong iwasto ito,” he said.
“Pero ito ang tahasang naging pagsagot niya, ‘I am ready to say sorry if I knew what I have to be sorry for,’” the President said.
Aquino emphasized how Marcos, who is running for the vice presidency, has repeatedly refused to say sorry for the abuses committed during the Martial Law era.
“Kung hindi man lang niya (Marcos) makita ang mali sa ginawa ng kanilang pamilya, paano tayo aasang hindi niya ito uulitin? Ang akin nga, thank you na lang, dahil kahit papaano nagpakatotoo ka sa pagpapakitang handa kang tularan ang iyong ama,” Aquino said.
Sen. Marcos, son of the late President, had earlier said that while he respects the views of some groups that martial law should be held against him, he will not give in to their request for him to apologize.
“Kung meron akong sinaktan, mag-a-apologize ako… Pero ‘yung lahat ng pagkakamali sa past administration hindi ko naman yata obligasyon na mag-apologize para sa mga nakaraang administrasyon,” the senator said.
Aquino said Filipinos appear to have forgotten the meaning of the People Power Revolution because of the increasing support for Marcos’ candidacy.
“Ngayon po, kung tama ang ilang mga survey na nagsasabing dumarami ang sumusuporta sa anak ng diktador na hindi kayang makita ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan, ang ibig po bang sabihin ay nalimot na natin ang sinabing, ‘Tama na, sobra na, palitan na’?” Aquino said.
Senator Marcos has tied with Senator Francis Escudero in the top spot of a recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations.
“Ibig po bang sabihin, inihahayag na sa ngayon: Puwede na bang bigyang-posibilidad na mangibabaw muli ang Batas Militar at maulit ang lahat ng kamalian nito?”
Victims who endured human rights abuses during the late Ferdinand Marcos’ two-decade-long reign, on Monday, protest against the possible return of any Marcos to the presidential palace. The group vowed to derail the vice-presidential bid of Sen. Bongbong Marcos in the May 9 elections.(MNS photo)
Message to the youth
Aquino said Marcos loyalists want to revise history by misleading the Filipinos, especially the youth, into thinking that the Martial Law era was the “golden age” of the country.
“May kaunting tagumpay ang mga nagrerebisa sa ating kasaysayan, at may nabolang iilan sa ating kabataan. Makikita nga po ninyo ang estilo ng mga loyalista sa traditional at social media; pilit nilang idinidikta ang isang kuwento para mamanipula ang opinyon ng taumbayan.”
In his speech, Aquino then encouraged the youth to know what really happened during the EDSA People Power Revolution. It was through the said revolution that President Marcos was toppled from power, and Aquino’s mother Corazon became President.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos attends a morning Mass in Baclaran church, Wednesday. Mrs. Marcos attended the Mass organized by the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) not knowing it was a tribute to victims of martial law in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. (MNS photo)
“Alamin ninyo ang nangyari noong EDSA,” he said.
“Sulitin ninyo ang pagkakataong ito na makita kung gaano kahalaga ang kalayaang nasa inyo ng mga kamay,” he said.
“Nawa’y ang kalayaang kaytagal nating minithi, ay hinding-hindi na mababawing muli,” he said.
Also in attendance at the event were former President Fidel V. Ramos, mayors from Metro Manila, several Cabinet officials, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and administration candidates Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Leni Robredo.
Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, Jr. said the People Power anniversary should serve both as a reminder and a challenge to the youth.
“Hamon sa henerasyon ngayon ay ang pagyamanin at pag-unlarin ang kalayaaan na nakamit sa EDSA,” Ochoa said.
Reenacted during the anniversary rites was the traditional “salubungan” in front of the People Power Monument. It was led by Ramos, a prominent figure during the EDSA Revolution. (MNS)