CASIÑO, Farrah Mae Y.

BSME 1B February 13, 2022

DELA CRUZ, Princess Joanna R.
JAMORA, John Lord S.

REVISITING CORAZON AQUINO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE U.S CONGRESS

I. Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino as the symbol of the restoration of

democracy and the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship
A. EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986
B. Ninoy Aquino’s death
C. Snap Election in February 1986
D. Captured the Filipino’s imagination against Marcos’ statesmanship
E. Cory’s Presidency
F. Overthrew Ferdinand Marcos from Presidency
G. Controversial topic of the Philippine Foreign Department

II. Cory Aquino’s speech was an important event in the political and diplomatic
history of the country
A. Arguably cemented the legitimacy of the EDSA government in the
International arena
B. The speech talks about her family background
C. Emphasized Ninoy’s eloquence and charisma
D. The ideology/principles of the new democratic government
i. Expressed her commitment to democratic constitution
E. Philippines and U.S Alliance
i. Cory’s decision to carry on a debt-driven economy
 ANALYSIS

The revolution was a result of the long oppressed freedom and the life
threatening abuses executed by the Marcos government to cite several events like
human rights violation since the tyrannical Martial Law Proclamation in 1972. Former
Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in the years that followed Martial Law started the
suppressive and abusive years–incidents of assassination were rampant, particularly
those who opposed the government, individuals and companies alike were subdued.
The Filipinos reached the height of their patience when former Senator Benigno "Ninoy"
Aquino, Sr. was shot and killed at the airport in August 21, 1983, upon his return to the
Philippines from exile in the United States. Aquino’s death marked the day that Filipinos
learned to fight. His grieving wife, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino showed the Filipinos and
the world the strength and courage to claim back the democracy that Ferdinand Marcos
arrested for his personal caprice. Considering the depressing economy of the country,
Ninoy’s death further intensified the contained resentment of the Filipinos.

Cory Aquino's speech was an important event in the political and diplomatic
history of the country because it has arguably cemented the legitimacy of the EDSA
government in the international arena. The overall the speech talks about her family
background, especially her relationship with her late husband, Ninoy Aquino. Cory also
emphasized Ninoy's eloquence & charisma could very well compete with that Marcos.
The ideology of the principles of the new democratic government can also be seen it the
same speech. She expressed her commitment to a democratic constitution drafted by
an independent commission. Cory also hoisted herself as the reconciliatory agent after
more than two decades of a polarizing authoritarian politics. Cory claimed that her main
approach to this problem was through peace and not through the sword war. Cory
continued the alliance b/w the Philippines and the US despite the known affinity b/w the
said world super power and Marcos and implemented an essentially similar foreign
policy to that of the dictatorship.