People Power's Philippine Saint: Corazon Aquino

(Related: Cory Aquino Tributes & the Edsa 2 Denial Syndrome)

TIME Magazine featured the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino in its August 1, 2009 issue, describing her as a "saint" of People Power revolution. Entitled "People Power's Philippine Saint: Corazon Aquino ," it is a tribute article, alright; however, it is a let down to objective and factual news reporting.

The sanctifying slant of the article is unbelievable. President Cory Aquino is a "democracy icon" not because her decisions and actions to attain and preserve a democratic government have been perfect but, rather, because she was persistent in her pursuit—even if it meant admitting her mistakes and working to rectify them. Howard Chua-Eoan devoted just one sentence to the now discredited Edsa 2—but even misrepresented Aquino's role in it by claiming that "She joined crowds that led to the overthrow" of Estrada. Such is an evidently false statement because Aquino, of course, was one of the leaders, if not conspirators, of Edsa 2, having campaigned against Estrada even months prior to the January 2001 revolt.

He also conspicuously omitted mentioning that months before her death, Aquino publicly asked Estrada's forgiveness for her "mistake" during the 2001 revolt . In December 2008, she addressed Estrada and said: "I am one of those who plead guilty in 2001. All of us make mistakes, just please forgive me."

Moreover, the article failed to note that the supposed "People Power II" operated outside the framework of the constitution adopted by Cory's own government. (See Time archives People Power Redux and ' We Acted to Avert Bloodshed' )

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References:

Burton, Sandra. People Power Redux. Time. 21 January 2001. http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/2001/0129/cover1.html

Burton, Sandra.'We Acted to Prevent Bloodshed.' Time. 30 January 2001. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,97346,00.html

Calica, Aurea and Porcalla, Delon. Cory apology to Erap dismays EDSA players. Philstar. 8 August 2009. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=426412

Chua-Eoan, Howard. People Power's Philippine Saint: Corazon Aquino. 1 August 2009. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1914125-2,00.html

"Erap, Cabinet pay last respects to Cory." GMA News. 2 August 2009. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/168869/Erap-Cabinet-pay-last-respects-to-Cory

Estrada's son lambasts Gordon on Cory apology. The Manila Times. 26 December 2009. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/dec/26/yehey/metro/20081226met2.html

Expecting Praise, Filipinos Are Criticized for Ouster. New York Times. 5 February 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/world/05FILI.html?ex=1204174800&en=835b6565116a0dd1&ei=5070

Mydan, Seth. Expecting Praise, Filipinos Are Criticized for Ouster. The New York Times. 5 Februar6y 2001. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/05/world/05FILI.html?ex=1204174800&en=835b6565116a0dd1&ei=5070.

Palace brags Gloria first in reconciling with Erap. The Daily Tribune. 24 December 2008. http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20081224hed2.html

Power Grab from President Joseph Estrada. http://forthephilippines.blogspot.com/2008/01/power-grab-from-president-joseph.html

Saksi: Cory apologizes for taking part in People Power 2. 22 December 2008. GMA News.TV. http://www.gmanews.tv/video/33611/Saksi-Cory-apologizes-for-taking-part-in-People-Power-2

Vigilia, Wendell. Cory to Erap: Sorry for Edsa 2. Malaya. 23 December 2009. http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec23/news6.htm

Photo Credits:

Associated Press
www.coryaquino.ph
Gomez, Jim. Filipinos bid farewell to democracy icon Aquino. 2 August 2009. Newsvine. http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2009/08/02/3106398-aquino-mourned-at-wake-by-thousands-of-filipinos
ABS-CBN. www.abs-cbnnews.com
GMA 7 News. http://www.gmanews.tv/

Inquirer.net.

Time Magazine. http://www.time.com