Benigno Aquino Jr. Quotes

27.11.1932 to 21.08.1983
politician

Philippine politician

agony alone asset battle blood care Communist conscience corruption crisis death degradation dictatorship disputant disputes doubt economy evil faith family father Filipino Filipinos forgiveness freedom friendship future glory good goodwill happiness heart honor hope humor imprisonment injustice inspiration justice labor leader leading legacy liberation life loneliness love mother motherhood Motherland name non-violence obligations opposition people Philippines political politician politics pray prison prisoner privilege promise protection public service purpose reason reconciliation religion Republic respect responsibilities revolution right rights satisfaction society solution son sorry spirit strength struggle suffer tiranny tyranny uncertainties victims victor victors victory wisdom wondering

A quote for a son

Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny as it will surely appear too many, it is last my act to defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

A rare privilege

It is a rare privilege for me to join the Motherland in the dark dungeon where she was led back by one of her own sons whom she lavished with love and glory.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

A sacred legacy

The Filipino asked 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.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

All alone by myself

For seven years, I was not allowed to see the moon and the stars. There were days when they left me all alone by myself. I had no reading material. I had nothing. I was twiddling my thumb. I would walk and walk and walk across my room; it was a room about four meters by five meters, hoping that I'll get tired. And then when I get tired, I would fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow will be the same.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Degradation of human dignity

No to tyranny! No to corruption! No to all this degradation of human dignity! Because then, I feel the true air of your fathers who before you have shed their blood for our freedoms.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Do not forget

My friends do not forget that your readiness to suffer will light the torch of freedom which can never be put out. Do not forget that we who are now in the middle of our years must inspire the youth when they are almost in the brink of despair. Do not forget that the purpose of life is precisely reexamining our being, not merely a floating flotsam in the time, in the floods of time. Do not forget, as Longfellow said that we should never be like driven cattle, but be a hero in the strife.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Economy

For the economy to get going once again, the working man 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.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Forgive me

Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibilities for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

Hope for all

In the coming years, I hope you will study very hard so that you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future. I may no longer be around to give you my fatherly advice. I have asked many of your uncles to help you along should the need arise, and I pray you will have the humility to drink from their fountain of experience.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

I am not a Communist

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a Communist, never was, and never will be.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

I am very sorry

You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you; I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people. For this I am very sorry.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

I will regain my freedom

But I knew, that somehow, I will regain my freedom, maybe not in this world, but elsewhere, and I knew, that sometime, somewhere, Mr. Marcos [then Philippine President] and I will meet, and in that meeting I will have my satisfaction.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Justice will emerge triumphant

I never sought nor have I been given any 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.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Key to our liberation

I do not hold the key to our liberation. I do not know the solutions to our many problems. All I know is that, if the situation continues in the Philippines, then blood will flow and when blood flows, there will be no victor and there will be no vanquished, because all of us will be the victim of our folly.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Live with honor

The only advice I can give you [son Noynoy]: live with honor and follow your conscience.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

Loneliness

I have often asked myself when I was in prison for seven years and seven months. You will note that one of the greatest problems of a prisoner is loneliness.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Motherland

There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

My happiness

I am filled with happiness to be with you here this afternoon because this is the first experience in my life. For the last twenty-five years I have been a politician, we used to pay people to hear us. This is the first time people paid to hear me.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

My only valuable asset

The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather, passed it on to me.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

National reconciliation founded on justice

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our (Filipino's) rights and freedoms through non-violence.
I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Our peace and our freedom

And therefore, as I thought back that there are still many valiant Filipinos who are fighting for freedom, fighting for your right to speak. These are the people who are putting their lives on the line. These are people who abandon their loved ones and the comforts of their home, the wealth of their offices, to be able to bring our freedom back, and to be true to our founding fathers. And so I told my wife [later Philippine President Cory Aquino], "Much as we have found our peace and our freedom, I will have to return to combat."

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

Political battle

Unfortunately, I had to sell all our properties as I fought battle after political battle as a beleaguered member of the opposition. And after the last battle, I had more obligations than assets.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

Rare brand of silent courage

Finally, stand by your mother as she stood beside me through the buffeting winds of crisis and uncertainties, firm and resolute and uncowed. I pray to God you inherit her indomitable spirit and her rare brand of silent courage.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

Reason and goodwill

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?

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Revolution

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

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Struggle of freedom

The moment you say no to tyranny, you are beginning the struggle, the long lonely road to freedom. And so I ask this afternoon, please say no and learn to say no. No to tyranny! No to corruption! No to all this degradation of human dignity! Because then, I feel the true air of your fathers who before you have shed their blood for our freedoms.

Freedom rally symposium by the Movement for Free Philippines (MFP); Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California; February 15, 1981

The disputants

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

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

The faith in God

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

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

To suffer with people together

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.

Ninoy's Last Speech, supposed to be read on Aug. 21, 1983

Victory of right over wrong

It takes little effort to stop a tyrant. I have no doubt in the ultimate victory of right over wrong, of good over evil, in the awakening of the Filipino.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973

Walk into the very jaws of death

I expect to be sentenced to imprisonment the rest of my natural life, or possible be sent to stand before a firing squad. By adopting the course of action I decided upon this afternoon, I have literally decided to walk into the very jaws of death.

Ninoy's letter to Noynoy (Benigno Aquino III), August 25, 1973