House wants to name Cory a 'national hero'

The House of Representatives suspended its sessions from Monday to Wednesday to give way the tribute to the late former President Corazon Aquino, and has made discussions to declare her a “national hero." “The Filipino people who consider former President Aquino a hero and are expressive of the nation’s gratitude to her, deserve to be heard by the state," said Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong" Plaza, author of House Joint Resolution 42. “Being the most recognized symbol of freedom and democracy that led to the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986, President Arroyo had shown throughout her life and death the true hallmarks of modern heroism," Camarines Norte Rep. Liwayway Chato said. The House plenary, during Monday’s full session, referred to the committee on rules chaired by House Majority Leader Defensor House Joint Resolutions 41 and 42 authored, respectively, by Reps. Plaza and Chato. HJR 42 is entitled “A Joint Resolution to recognize the valuable contribution of President Corazon C. Aquino by declaring her as a National Hero." The measures are expected to be consolidated and reported out in plenary next week. The House, in deference to the death of the former President, decided to forego its sessions since Monday to give each member of Congress the chance to see the remains of Mrs. Aquino. The chamber dedicated and focused its entire session on the life of Mrs. Aquino that culminated with the adoption and approval of two separate House resolutions and a Joint Resolution extolling her leadership. The House also adopted House Resolutions 1299 and 1300 authored by Speaker Prospero Nograles, Majority Leader Arthur Defensor, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora and all the members of the House. The House leadership likewise unanimously approved on second reading HJR 40, authored by Reps. Lorenzo Tañada III, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Majority Leader Defensor, Minority Leader Zamora and all the members of the House. The measure calls for the declaration of Jan. 25 as “Cory Aquino Day." It is her birth date. HJR 40 is expected to be approved on final reading next week as the measure requires the concurrence of the Senate, which has, as had been reported, its own version with the same intent. The Senate version is authored by Senator Mar Roxas. - GMANews.TV