Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, left, and her assassinated husband Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. look on during his rebellion trial before a military commission. (AP Photo/File)

Thea Alberto
Yahoo! Philippines

Today, we commemorate the martyrdom of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Just 26 years ago, he chose to leave his peaceful life in the U.S. to return to his homeland, despite threats to his life. He was supposed to deliver a speech upon his return but was unable to do so when he was killed on the tarmac of the then Manila International Airport.

His death sparked the Philippines’ shining moment in history, as millions of Filipinos joined his funeral march amid fear during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Three years later, Aquino’s widow, Corazon, was catapulted to power through the world’s first bloodless, people-led revolt now known as the People Power/EDSA Revolution.

Several members of the military were convicted and have served years in prison for killing Ninoy Aquino. But the question remains: who was the mastermind?

What follows is dubbed ‘The most famous undelivered speech in Philippine history’ — the speech Ninoy was supposed to read before his supporters.

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(This is the entire statement as it appears (all-caps, italicized quote, and all) in “A Testimony by Ninoy,” a pamphlet published on September 1, 1983 by the Human Development Research and Documentation office of the La Ignaciana Apostolic Center as Human Society No. 21)

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the willing sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for Habeas Corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for Habeas Corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution — the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nation-wide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my immediate execution or set me free. I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a Dictator. No compromise with Dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. 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

5. 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.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of 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.”

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer — faith in our people and faith in God.

Thea Alberto
Yahoo! Philippines

Former Corazon Aquino’s condition is now being closely monitored, her family said Tuesday afternoon.

“We are closely monitoring her blood pressure which has been fluctuating,” the Aquino’s family said, noting that her condition changed from stable to “guarded.”

“Our mother’s condition has been stable for several weeks now and has turned guarded yesterday (Monday) afternoon,” according to the family’s statement that is now being circulated.

The family, however, stressed that the former leader is asleep and “not in pain.”

Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer last 2008 and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for over a month for loss of appetite.

Thea Alberto
Yahoo! Philippines

The spokesperson of former President Corazon Aquino has denied reports the former leader has succumbed to colon cancer. “It’s not true,” said Deedee Siytangco, former President Corazon Aquino’s spokesperson in a telephone interview with Yahoo! Philippines when asked about the report. “If there’s anything to be announced, it would be them who will do so,” she said.

“The family appreciates the concern for the mother but if it does not come from any of the five kids and the grandsons or her nephew, she’s not yet (gone),” said Siytangco. However, the spokesman admitted Aquino’s condition has not improved with her continued loss of appetite.

She also said family’s mood has been quite gloomy. “They’ve been not very well,” she added. Siytangco reiterated that visitors were still not allowed at the Makati Medical Center, where Aquino has been confined. She has been battling with colon cancer since 2008 and has been confined since last month.

In a separate interview, Jiggy Cruz, Aquino’s grandson said that Aquino was getting pain relievers. “She’s stable yesterday. She’s getting pain relievers and she’s asleep now,” he said. Cruz, who was at the hospital at the time of interview, also clarified the former president was not on a life support system. However, he said the former leader could not talk well.

“She’s having a hard time to talk so it’s either a yes or a no for her,” said Cruz. “We’re all here. We’ve been praying the rosary together,” he added.

A text message claiming Aquino has succumbed to colon cancer circulated late Friday, prompting the British Embassy to send its condolences to the family. A staff member of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, however, declared that she was still alive but in “critical condition.”

Aquino’s supporters had been tying yellow ribbons in Makati City and Manila to show their continued support for the ailing leader.

The British Embassy has issued an apology after it sent its condolences to the Aquino family.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wished a speedy recovery for the former president.

Aquino, who has been diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer, was hospitalized for loss of appetite. She is the widow of assassinated opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The assassination sparked a “people power” revolt in 1986 that led to ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Have you tied a yellow ribbon to support Aquino?

(UPDATE) A text message claiming that former President Corazon Aquino is dead is a hoax.

A report quoting a staff member of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said that the former president was alive but in “critical condition.” Aquino’s supporters had been tying yellow ribbons in Makati City and Manila to show their continued support for the ailing leader.

The British Embassy has issued an apology after it sent its condolences to the Aquino family.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton wished a speedy recovery for the former president.

Aquino, who has been diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer, was hospitalized for loss of appetite. She is the widow of assassinated opposition leader Benigno Aquino. The assassination sparked a “people power” revolt in 1986 that led to ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Have you tied a yellow ribbon to support Aquino?