ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas on Thursday urged Ilonggos to uphold the values of justice, transparency, and people-centered leadership, stressing that the legacy of the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. must serve as a guide in building stronger democratic communities.
“Today, we remember the life and sacrifice of Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr. His courage and ultimate sacrifice remind us that freedom and democracy are never free. They are won and preserved through the selflessness of those who choose country above self,” Treñas said during the city’s commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day.
Aquino, a staunch opposition leader during the Marcos dictatorship beginning in the 1970s, returned from exile in the United States on Aug. 21, 1983, and was assassinated upon his arrival at the Manila International Airport.
His death galvanized public resistance against dictatorship of President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and paved the way for the 1986 People Power Revolution.
Mayor Treñas emphasized that Aquino’s timeless words — “the Filipino is worth dying for” — should inspire Filipinos to strive for accountability and inclusivity in governance.
“In Iloilo City, we honor that legacy by working each day to build a community that values justice, good governance, and people-centered leadership,” Treñas stressed.
She also highlighted unity and mutual respect as crucial foundations of nation-building: “Ang pagpakig-isa kag pagrespeto sa tagsa-tagsa amo ang nagapadayon nga kusog sang aton pungsod.”
Treñas further called on Ilonggos to emulate Aquino’s example in their own lives.
“May we all carry Ninoy’s example in our own way by standing for what is right, by choosing service over self-interest, and by believing that every Ilonggo and every Filipino is worth fighting for,” she added./PN
