MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marked the 43rd death anniversary of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on Friday, August 21, honoring the late opposition leader’s courage while urging Filipinos to protect democracy from threats that have evolved far beyond the political battles of the past.
In a message commemorating Ninoy Aquino Day, Marcos described Aquino’s legacy as a reminder of the courage Filipinos have shown in standing by their convictions and defending principles they believe in.
The President also called on Filipinos to draw lessons from Aquino’s life and contribute to the country’s democratic process with honor and dignity.
But the message went beyond remembering a pivotal figure in Philippine history.
Marcos warned that disinformation, division, distrust and civic indifference can threaten democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in the country’s political system.
The warning adds a contemporary dimension to this year’s commemoration, connecting Aquino’s historic fight for democracy with the challenges confronting Filipinos in the digital age.
From political rival to symbol of democracy
Aquino was one of the most prominent opponents of the administration of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., the current President’s father.
After years in detention and exile, Aquino returned to the Philippines in 1983. He was assassinated on August 21 of that year shortly after arriving at what was then Manila International Airport.
His death became a major turning point in the country’s political history. The massive public response to his assassination helped fuel the opposition movement that eventually culminated in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.
The airport where Aquino was assassinated was later renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor.
More than four decades later, the anniversary continues to carry political and historical significance, particularly because the current President is the son of the leader whose administration was challenged by Aquino.
Marcos: Remember the past to protect freedom
ABS-CBN reported that Marcos emphasized the importance of acknowledging the country’s past in order to safeguard freedom.
The President’s message encouraged Filipinos to look at Aquino’s example not simply as a historical memory but as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with democracy.
Philstar likewise reported that Marcos identified disinformation and distrust among the challenges facing Philippine democracy today.
The message effectively shifted the focus from the political conflicts of the 1970s and 1980s to the modern information environment, where false or misleading information can spread rapidly and deepen political divisions.
Nationwide observance
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines led commemorative rites at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday to mark the 43rd anniversary of Aquino’s assassination.
In Bacolod City, members of the Federation of Urban Poor gathered to lay flowers at Aquino’s statue, with participants carrying Philippine flags and yellow ribbons. The group used the occasion to call for courage, integrity and moral renewal in public life.
The commemorations show that Aquino’s legacy remains interpreted in different ways across Philippine society — from a symbol of resistance and democracy to a reminder of the continuing responsibility of citizens and leaders to protect democratic institutions.
Why August 21 remains significant
Ninoy Aquino Day is observed every August 21 as a special non-working holiday.
For 2026, the date falls on a Friday and was included in the government’s official list of special non-working days.
The holiday was established through Republic Act No. 9256, which declared August 21 of every year as Ninoy Aquino Day.
This year’s observance therefore marks not only the 43rd anniversary of Aquino’s death but also another moment for Filipinos to reflect on the political events that reshaped the country more than four decades ago.
A legacy that remains politically relevant
Marcos’ decision to invoke Aquino’s courage on the anniversary of his assassination carries particular historical weight.
Aquino spent years opposing the authoritarian government led by Marcos Sr. His return to the Philippines and subsequent assassination became a defining moment in the country’s struggle for democratic restoration.
Now, decades later, his name was invoked by the son of his former political adversary as President Marcos urged Filipinos to defend freedom, strengthen democratic institutions and resist forces that could weaken public trust.
The contrast between the country’s past and present makes this year’s Ninoy Aquino Day particularly significant.
The question raised by the commemoration is no longer simply how Filipinos remember Ninoy Aquino.
It is whether the courage and democratic principles associated with his legacy can continue to influence how the country confronts disinformation, political division, distrust and civic apathy today.
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