Corazon Aquino
Corazón “Cory” Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was the first female president of the Philippines, rising from widowhood to lead a peaceful revolution. This article explores her life, presidency, ideals, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Corazón Aquino is a symbol of peaceful resistance, democracy restored, and moral leadership in modern Philippine history. Called the “Mother of Modern Philippine Democracy,” she became president without prior political office, following the People Power Revolution in 1986 that ousted a long-standing dictatorship. Her legacy lives on in the institutions she built, the reforms she championed, and the spirit she inspired across generations.
Early Life and Family
Born Maria Corazón Sumulong Cojuangco on January 25, 1933 in Paniqui, Tarlac, Philippines José Cojuangco, was a businessman and former congressman; her mother, Demetria Sumulong, came from the Sumulong family, a politically influential clan in Rizal province.
Her upbringing was relatively privileged among Filipino standards of the time, and she attended schools both in the Philippines and abroad.
In 1954, she married Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., a rising political figure. Their marriage placed her in proximity to politics, though she largely maintained a private life in the early years. Benigno Aquino III, who would later become president.
Tragedy struck in 1983 when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated upon returning from exile, galvanizing popular opposition to the Marcos regime and thrusting Corazón into the forefront of the movement for change.
Rise to Prominence & the People Power Revolution
Corazón Aquino had not held elected office or public power before 1986, but the combination of her moral authority after her husband’s assassination, her integrity, and public yearning for reform propelled her into leadership.
In 1986, Ferdinand Marcos called a snap presidential election. Aquino, initially reluctant, accepted the opposition’s nomination amidst massive public support.
This tension led to the EDSA People Power Revolution from February 22 to 25, 1986, a largely peaceful civilian-led uprising supported by key military defections, religious institutions, and mass participation.
Presidency (1986–1992)
Democratic Restoration & Structural Reform
Once in office, Aquino embarked on sweeping institutional reforms to undo authoritarian structures:
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She abolished the 1973 Marcos constitution and convened a Constitutional Commission to draft a new charter, which resulted in the 1987 Constitution emphasizing civil liberties, checks and balances, and local autonomy.
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She created the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to recover ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the Marcos regime.
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She sponsored legal reforms such as the Family Code of 1987, revamping civil law on family matters, and the Administrative Code of 1987 to reorganize executive departments.
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In 1991, the Local Government Code was passed, decentralizing power and increasing local autonomy and revenue-raising capacity for local government units.
Challenges & Crises
Her term was not free of difficulties:
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Natural disasters and emergencies tested governance: the Luzon earthquake (1990), the eruption of Mount Pinatubo (1991), and the sinking of the passenger ship MV Doña Paz (1987) brought tragedies and demands for leadership.
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She faced multiple coup attempts from factions discontent with her governance or nostalgic for Marcos-era power.
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Economic instability, debt burdens, elite resistance, and political compromise made reforms slow and often contested.
Despite these, Aquino’s presidency is credited with reestablishing democratic norms, restoring freedom of the press, and setting a foundation for subsequent administrations to build upon.
Later Years and Death
After her presidency, Aquino remained an influential moral figure and voice in civil society, often criticizing subsequent administrations and rallying citizen activism.
In 2008, she publicly announced a diagnosis of colorectal cancer and gradually withdrew from public life. August 1, 2009, at Makati Medical Center in Makati, Philippines.
Legacy and Influence
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First female president in the Philippines, and among the earliest in Asia without prior executive office experience.
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She is credited with restoring democracy after two decades of authoritarian rule, and for anchoring institutions that would protect civil liberties.
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Many subsequent activists and leaders cite her dedication to peaceful change and civic courage as inspiration.
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Her name and memory are preserved in museums, memorials, and public landmarks. The Aquino Center and Museum in Tarlac chronicles her life, her husband’s assassination, and her presidency.
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She is often studied in the Philippines and abroad as a case of leadership rooted in moral authority rather than brute power.
Personality, Beliefs, and Style
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Aquino was modest, devoutly Catholic, and often expressed that she did not originally seek power but accepted the burden of leadership as a moral call.
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She valued sincerity, integrity, and moral conviction over political ambition, often saying that what she could offer was sincerity above all.
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She believed in nonviolent resistance, reconciliation (but not at the cost of justice), and participatory democracy.
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Her leadership style was often quiet rather than domineering; she relied on consensus, moral persuasion, and appeals to civic duty.
Famous Quotes of Corazón Aquino
Here are a selection of notable statements attributed to Corazón Aquino:
“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”
“Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn’t be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.”
“It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.”
“As I came to power peacefully, so shall I keep it.”
“The government cannot do everything all at once. It can’t wave a magic wand and meet everyone’s demands simultaneously.”
“I know there isn’t anything I can do that will please everybody. But if I have done according to my beliefs, I sleep very very well.”
“Freedom of expression – in particular, freedom of the press – guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government, and popular participation is the essence of our democracy.”
These excerpts illuminate her convictions about democracy, justice, and leadership.
Lessons from Corazón Aquino
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Moral authority can outshine political machinery. Aquino’s strength came more from conviction, integrity, and public resonance than institutional power.
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Peaceful change is possible. Her ascent via nonviolent mass mobilization offers a powerful model in societies wrestling with authoritarianism.
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Democracy isn’t finished at the revolution. Her presidency shows the heavy lifting begins after regime change—maintaining institutions, reforming laws, and facing crises.
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Courage sometimes means accepting burdens you never wanted. Her narrative reminds us that leadership often comes unbidden, and its demands are heavy.
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Sincerity and humility matter. In many quotes and decisions, she emphasized that her authenticity, more than policy grandstanding, defined her appeal.
Conclusion
Corazón “Cory” Aquino remains a resonant figure in global history: a person who transformed personal loss into national renewal and helped restore democracy through peaceful means. Her life teaches us that integrity, moral courage, and collective awakening can reshape nations. If you like, I can also compile a complete timeline of her life and presidency, or a collection of her speeches with analysis. Would you like me to prepare that?