LP lawmakers want 'Cory Aquino Day' declared

Amid the outpouring of support for the late former president Corazon Aquino, lawmakers from the Liberal Party (LP) on Monday sought the declaration of a "Cory Aquino Day" to honor the democracy icon for her contributions in nation building. Senator Manuel Roxas II filed Joint Resolution 28 seeking to declare Mrs. Aquino's birthday (January 25) as "Cory Aquino Day." Roxas is LP president. Roxas said that Mrs. Aquino, who was swept to the presidency following a civilian-backed military uprising in February 1986, must be honored every year for her crucial role in restoring democracy after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorial rule. "One of Tita Cory's missions when she became president was to run after ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses," Roxas said, adding that Mrs. Aquino should be honored for being a continuing symbol against corruption. Even though she chose to become a private citizen after her term in office, Mrs. Aquino had maintained her vigilance over the political affairs of the country, giving her comments on issues on corruption and transparency in government. She called for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation in 2005, at the height of the "Hello, Garci" scandal, wherein supposed wiretapped conversations regarding vote-rigging were discussed by a woman presumed to be President Arroyo and a man believed to be then Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. According to Roxas' camp, LP member and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya will file the joint measure in the House of Representatives. Roxas said he expects both chambers of Congress to approve the resolution later in the day. Mrs. Aquino's son Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is an LP member. Her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr. was also an LP member. Mrs. Aquino, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008, passed away early Saturday morning. Public support and prayers for the democracy icon has been pouring in since she was brought to the Makati Medical Center due to loss of appetite in late June. - GMANews.TV