REMEMBERING CORY

– Former President Benigno S. Aquino III prays at the tomb of his parents, former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon C. Aquino, Tuesday, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, on the eighth death anniversary of his mother.

Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III yesterday called for the preservation of democracy during the commemoration of the eighth death anniversary of his mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

Asked if democracy holds more meaning now, Aquino said: “Kahit naman anong bagay kapag pinabayaan guguho eh, mawawala. Parehong obligasyon natin na nagmana sa lahat ng sakripisyo ng mga nauna sa atin, na ipagtanggol ’yung mga karapatan na hindi naman ibinigay kundi ipinaglaban. Kapag hindi natin ipinaglaban ito, baka gumising tayo isang araw na wala na (Anything left for naught will crumble and be lost. It is our obligation as the ones who inherited the fruits of the sacrifices of those before us, to defend the rights we would not have gained had they not been fought for. If we don’t fight for it, one day we will wake up to see it gone).”

Aquino also suggested that it was, perhaps, time for President Duterte to try another style in dealing with the problem on illegal drugs as he noted that the brutal method might have been ineffective.

Aquino also criticized the threat to abolish the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which were established during Cory’s term as president.

“Has the PCGG finished its job? In my time, we still recovered something; we chased the guilty. We have not finished the job," he said. in Filipino. On human rights, Aquino said: "Until we reach a perfect society, I think we need the Commission on Human Rights.”