THE GLORY OF DEMOCRACY

IN HER CONVICTIONS; President, Corazon C. Aquino

A long-entrenched dictator dismissed her as “just a woman” and a housewife. “What on earth do I know about being president?” Corazon Aquino conceded as she launched her challenge to the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in December 1985. “The only thing I can really offer the Filipino people is my sincerity.”

Yet in a few months, the woman who knew nothing about being president helped bring down a dictator, took over Malacañang and repulsed at least two coup attempts. Within less than two years after assuming power, Corazon Aquino crafted a “Freedom Constitution” that was ratified by 80 percent of the people in a national plebiscite, re-established a freely elected Congress and restored independence to the legislature and judiciary.

After nurturing democracy through seven coup attempts, she peacefully handed over power to a freely elected successor — the first such peaceful transition in 27 years. “This is the glory of democracy, that it’s most solemn moment should be the peaceful transfer of power,” she said in her final State of the Nation Address. In the light of recent events, the nation now realizes how precious that gracious exit was.

After seeing the depths by which power could be abused, Cory Aquino wielded it with reluctance. But she never needed the presidency to lead; all she needed was the example of her life. Her power and influence emanated not from any position in government, but from her convictions, her abiding faith in the goodness of the Filipino and, yes, her sincerity. That is a virtue that has been in short supply in public service for many years.

Once, explaining to an interviewer why she decided to run for president, the woman the nation called Tita Cory said she had asked herself, “What if I could make a difference?”

She did, and the nation, grateful for her legacy of freedom, now mourns its loss.