Ninoy and political heroism
Each time we talk of elections, we lament the lack of political heroes – politicians who can serve as role models for our children. Political heroes are those who have used their leadership to bring attention to the attention of his or her people and convince them to get involved in making this place a better world for everyone and for future generations.
Philippine history has a gallery of heroes. But it is very rare for a politician to be hailed as a national hero. Even presidents have seldom been considered heroic figures in our history. Two presidents generally acknowledged as heroes were Ramon Magsaysay and Corazon Aquino. Both were never considered as being in the mold of a typical politician. Magsaysay was more known as a guerrilla leader and as secretary of defense when he was able to suppress a growing Communist rebellion. During his 1953 presidential campaign, his now famous slogan was: “Our democracy will die kung wala si Magsaysay.”
Cory never ran for any government position before she ran for the presidency against Marcos in 1986. Her campaign was more of a crusade than an electoral campaign. Marcos used guns, goons and gold to try and defeat her. But Marcos had to resort to blatant cheating to try and stay in power. Aquino’s victory was the result of a People Power Movement, not a victory based on political machinery or campaign funds.
Ninoy Aquino was a rare person. He was a thoroughbred politician who became a national hero by exercising political leadership. Even his martyrdom was a political act if we define politicians as those who use their leadership in order to attain a national vision for the people.
He was elected as mayor of his hometown and then ran and won as a congressman. Finally in 1967 he survived a Nacionalista landslide and became the lone Liberal Party candidate to win in the senatorial elections. His popularity made him the most logical candidate to replace Marcos as the president of the Philippines.
He did not believe in armed revolution nor did he start an insurrectionist movement to replace the government. He had faith in the democratic process and the rule of law. Even in jail, he remained the most popular political personality in the nation. Marcos always considered him as the most dangerous opponent of the martial law regime.
Even as a senator, Ninoy was already establishing that rare distinction of a politician also becoming a statesman. His most famous speeches could be full of criticism but always contained elements of a political ideology. On Aug. 25, 1971 on the floor of the Senate, Ninoy gave a speech defending himself from charges of being a communist. But his speech also included these lines:
“If the inexpressible cruelties of official oppression and expression cannot cow us, tyranny upon us will fail. In the end I say, tyranny will bend to moral justice. Official injustice is still the Filipinos’ burden. The demand of the hour is upon us, my countrymen and it is simple. We must weld; separately, I must warn, we shall perish.
Greatness, Mr. President is not willed, it is earned. It is not a crown put on one’s head, it is given by a people as a tribute to a leader. If Mr. Marcos has ruled selflessly and wisely, when historians write the chapter of Philippine life under his rule, they will pause and say of him: ‘there lived a man a great man, a great president who made a priesthood out of the presidency.’ This I know is a great challenge and an overwhelming responsibility. Unhappily, Mr. Marcos who started off with a pledge to lead this nation to a great again society has failed to come up to the measure.”
The traditional politician is one who sells himself or herself to the public based on promises or being against something or somebody. The hero politician stands for a set of beliefs or values that is clearly manifested in his or her political life which leads to credibility. These beliefs must be clearly communicated to the public.
On Aug. 21, 1983, Ninoy returned to the Philippines from exile. Immediately upon his return, he was arrested and assassinated. Unknown to most Filipinos, he had a speech ready for his homecoming. In it, he outlined some of his political beliefs. Here is an excerpt from that undelivered speech:
“National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers .... Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions. It can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom and for the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.”
Toward the end of his speech, Ninoy quoted the following lines from Archibald Macleish: “How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always and in the final act, by determination and faith.”
Ninoy ended his undelivered speech with these words: “I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer – faith in our people and faith in God.”
Ninoy Aquino was born on Nov. 27, 1932. As we celebrate his birthday, we need to relay his life story to our young people who need to believe that heroism can still thrive in today’s political world; and that democracy and freedom can still be defended by truth, determination and faith. Creative writing classes for kids/ teens
Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on December 2 and December 9 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions). All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. For registration and fee details text 0945-2273216 or email writethingsph@gmail.com.
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