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NINOY

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Several family members, friends and supporters commemorated the 42nd death anniversary of former senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino on Thursday, August 21.A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Ninoy’s marker at the Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, formerly known as Manila International Airport, where Ninoy was fatally shot at the tarmac.Senator Bam Aquino, Ninoy’s nephew, underscored the need for Filipinos to continue his uncle’s crusade for good governance.“At least nakita naman po natin na may demokrasya na tayo ngayon pero yung ibang mga pinaglalaban niya, gaya ng good governance, mas patas na lipunan, alam ho nating hindi pa natin nakakamit,” he said.A Holy Mass was also celebrated at the tomb of Ninoy at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City attended by family members, notable friends and supporters.One of the attendees is 69-year-old Ramon Balang, one of the witnesses in Ninoy’s assassination.Balang was at the tarmac working as an aircraft mechanic assigned to assist in the parking of the China Airlines aircraft where Ninoy was aboard.Over 40 years after the Aquino-Galman murders, he still remembers what happened vividly.“I was doing my routine check of the aircraft, nandun ako sa ilalim nung bridge nakita ko may nagbabaan… Hindi ko pa alam nun na si Ninoy ‘yun, ang alam ko lang the man in white,&quot; Balang recalled.“Pagbaba 1 or 2 step, bigla na lang siyang bumagsak sa tarmac... During my testimony, in-identify ko yung sunud-sunod na nasa likod,&quot; he recounted.The August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) said Balang was the first witness to testify under oath with the Agrava Fact-finding Board that investigated Ninoy’s assassination and helped convict the AVSECOM soldiers later on.He vowed to continue commemorating Ninoy’s death and legacy and heralding the truth as he witnessed.“Kasi ngayon puro fake news puro pambubudol ang ginagawa ng mga politiko. Sa konting nalalaman ko, naitutuwid yung mga pambubudol nila,” he said.<div>‘NO RECONCILIATION WITHOUT JUSTICE&#x27;</div>Kiko Aquino-Dee, Ninoy’s grandson, said there would be no reconciliation between the Aquinos and Marcoses until the latter recognize the injustices of Martial Law.“I think we’ve been very consistent that there’s no reconciliation without justice. So, for as long as there’s no recognition of the atrocities that were committed under Marcos dictatorship… I don’t think there’s much to say between our families,” he said.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier released a statement joining Filipinos in commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day by reflecting on the lessons of history, and emphasizing on the importance of leadership guided by “conscience, sobriety, and foresight.”“In honoring this day, the Republic signals its readiness to uphold leadership that strives towards wholeness and reconciliation,” the president stated.<div>OBSERVING NINOY AQUINO DAY</div>Aquino-Dee also welcomed the decision of the Marcos Jr. administration not to move the observance of Ninoy Aquino Day to a later date.“I think Pres. Marcos has a lot on his plate right now, I think historical distortion thankfully wasn’t on it this year, but we will continue to be vigilant,” he noted.Last year, the Palace moved the observance of the Ninoy Aquino Day from August 21, 2024, Wednesday, to August 23, 2024, Friday, “to promote domestic tourism in the country”.August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) President Volt Bohol also appreciated the move, noting that those who would attempt to make people forget history should be opposed.“Puwede naman palang hindi gawing holiday economics ‘di ba? So it works even better. My advise for all those who continue to do initiatives to make people forget siguro tigilan na po nating yung ganun, kasi the more you do things like attempting to make people forget our history, the more our people will continue to remember and mas nagsasalita po ang karamihan,” he stated.Historian Professor Xiao Chua, meanwhile, underscored the importance of keeping Ninoy’s legacy alive up to this modern day especially among the youth.“Kung ikaw ay nakakapag TikTok, sarap na sarap ka sa pagti-TikTok ngayon ano, at malaya mo itong nagagawa, yan ay bahagi ng demokrasyang ipinaglaban ng buong bayang Pilipino sa pangunguna ni Sen. Ninoy Aquino noong dekada ’80 na sana ‘wagv nating sasayangin,” he said.“Kasi pag ginagamit natin ang mga kalayaan natin, nang hindi maganda, nang mali, ng hindi responsable eh parang sinampal na rin natin lahat ng mga martyr ng Martial Law,” he added.

Several family members, friends, and supporters commemorated the 42nd death anniversary of former senator Benigno "Ninoy’"Aquino on Thursday, August 21.

Several family members, friends, and supporters commemorated the 42nd death anniversary of former senator Benigno "Ninoy’"Aquino on Thursday, August 21.

‘Remembering Ninoy’: Filipinos urged to continue Ninoy’s fight for good governance, justice

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‘Remembering Ninoy’: Filipinos urged to continue Ninoy’s fight for good governance, justice

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 21, 2025 06:17 PM PHT

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Ninoy Aquino

Ninoy Aquino Day

Kiko Aquino-Dee

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