Corazon Aquino, Mother of Philippine Democracy

About 200,000 people joined in the 22-kilometre (14-mile) procession amidst the heavy pouring of rain last Wednesday, August 5 to bid farewell to former President Corazon Aquino, Mother of Philippine Democracy whose "People Power", the first democratic movement in Southeast Asia, ended decades of dictatorship.

In the words of Fr. Catalino Arevalo, "She made me proud again to be a Filipino," recalling Aquino's bloodless triumph against the 20-year dictatorship of Marcos in 1986.

During her time in office, Aquino faced down seven coup attempts, mostly by officers who had pushed for Marcos' ouster and felt they had not been given their share of power.

While she brought political change, Aquino struggled to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.

Aquino stepped down in 1992, refusing to seek another term and reminding people that her mission _ the restoration of democracy _ had been completed.

Pres. Aquino was given a 21-gun salute by the honour guard after which her remains were transferred to a caisson that carried her to a mausoleum.

President Cory was laid to her final resting place in their mausoleum in Manila Memorial Park beside her late opposition senator husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

Millions, including from the 8.7-million-strong overseas Filipino community, monitored the slow progress of the cortege on television and Internet sites with streaming video.

East Timor President and Nobel Prize winner Jose Ramos-Horta, who attended the funeral, described Aquino as "one of the greatest people of the 20th century," likening her to India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

"I think the greatest tribute that Filipinos can pay to Corazon Aquino and so many others who gave their lives for democracy is ... there should be no more dictatorships again," said Ramos-Horta. Aquino inspired East Timor's struggle for independence from Indonesia a decade ago, he said.

Proclamation No. 1851

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared Wednesday August 5, 2009 as a special nonworking holiday to give Filipinos a chance to honor and pay their respects to the late former President Corazon C. Aquino who will be laid to rest that day. The President signed Proclamation No. 1851 in New York City on Saturday and was relayed to the media by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde. The proclamation read as follows:

“I, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby declare August 5, 2009, Wednesday, to be a special nonworking holiday nationwide in honor of the late former President Corazon C. Aquino.”

Proclamation No. 1850

Former President Corazon C. Aquino passed Saturday, August 1 at the age of 76. Her long battle against cancer had ended and surely a lot of people will mourn for the loss of their beloved peacemaker.

As president of the Republic of the Philippines (1986-1992), Corazon Cojuangco Aquino led her country's difficult transition from dictatorship to democracy. After re-establishing the democratic institutions, her administration made them work, bringing about substantive economic and social reforms. Through great personal courage and unwavering commitment to non-violence, she successfully served her term in office and presided over the peaceful and orderly transfer of power to her successor President Fidel V. Ramos.

Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is currently in the United States for a state visit issued a statement that the Philippines will observe 10 days of national mourning. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also said it would accord full military honors during Corazon Aquino's wake, including gun salutes and lowering flags to half-mast. Part of Proclamation No. 1850 read as follows:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby proclaim the period August 1, 2009 to August 10, 2009, as a period of national mourning for our beloved former President. During this period, flags of all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad shall be flown at half-mast.

Rest in peace our dear president. You have left a lasting legacy for all of us Filipinos.

To read more about the the former president, go to corazonaquino.net.