NINOY AQUINO's Greatest Speech: Ninoy Aquino's historic speech in Los Angeles (1981)

On 15 February 1981, less than a year after he underwent a triple bypass in the United States and began his three years of self-imposed exile, Philippine Senator and opposition leader Ninoy Aquino delivered what would become his most famous speech. It was delivered before a capacity crowd of Filipino and American supporters at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California. The Movement for a Free Philippines, a pro-democracy organisation established by Filipino-Americans and then headed by former Senator Raul Manglapus, had organised a freedom rally symposium with Aquino at its star speaker.
The speech provides the most thorough account of Ninoy's long struggle to restore democracy in the Philippines -- his seven years and seven months in prison, particularly the physical humiliation and psychological torture he endured in solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija; his trial before a kangaroo court and decision to launch a hunger strike in protest; and his worsening health condition and decision to seek treatment in the United States. He also talked about his spiritual awakening which resulted from his long imprisonment.
With a mix of humour and defiance, Ninoy recounted Marcos' brazen attempts to make a mockery of (and eventually destroy) Philippine democracy -- from the corruption-riddled Constitutional Convention of 1971 and the imposition of martial law in 1972, to the sham lifting of that same martial law in 1981. Ninoy also ridiculed Marcos' "world tour" of ludicrous constitutional amendments between 1973-81 as he jumped from one type of government to another in order to consolidate his power as president-dictator.
Most importantly, it was in this speech that Ninoy forcefully advocated for a non-violent approach to ending the Marcos dictatorship. He proudly declared his determination to lead the fight for Philippine freedom, having told Marcos: "While I have vowed never to enter the political arena again, I shall dedicate the last drop of my blood to the restoration of freedom and the dismantlement of your martial law."
Ninoy was assassinated upon returning to the Philippines in August 1983. His death commenced three years of immense political turmoil in the Philippines and increased anger and dissatisfaction with the abuses of the Marcos dictatorship.
Ninoy's widow, Corazon C. Aquino, ran as the presidential candidate of the united democratic opposition against Marcos in the February 1986 snap election. Despite Cory leading in the independent quick count by NAMFREL and widespread evidence of electoral fraud committed by Marcos and the KBL party, Marcos was declared the winner by the rubber-stamp Batasang Pambansa. This sham proclamation resulted in the launching of a non-violent civil disobedience movement by Cory and the opposition. It was also the breaking point for reformist members of the Armed Forces. Their decision to openly rebel against Marcos after their coup attempt was foiled on 22 February 1986 compelled two million Filipinos to defend them by marching in the streets of Metro Manila. With the revolution reaching its peak on 25 February 1986, Corazon C. Aquino took her of oath of office as President of the Philippines. Marcos, despite having taken his own oath that same day, fled the presidential palace at around 9PM with his family and associates and was subsequently exiled to Hawaii, where he died in 1989.
President Aquino restored democracy in the country after the Filipino people ousted the Marcoses from power through the People Power Revolution. Serving as president from 1986 to 1992, Cory passed away in August 2009. Their son, Benigno Aquino III, served as President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. He passed away in June 2021.
These are only excerpts of this speech, please go to NinoyAquinoTV to view the full speech as delivered by Aquino: • NINOY AQUINO's memorab...
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