For those who have not heard, Corazon Aquino, the first democraticly elected leader of the Philippines and wife of anti-Marcos martyr Ninoy Aquino, died Saturday from colon cancer.
Corazon Aquino become President in 1986. Running against Marcos (who had ordered the death of her husband 3 years before), she was announced as the loser in a obviously rigged election. The announcement of the election results caused a massive wave of non-violent street demonstrations all over the Philippines. Dubbed as the People Power Revolution or the Yellow Revolution (in reference to the yellow ribbons worn), the demonstrations managed to overthrow the Marcos regime and installed Aquino in office. During her term in office she survived numerous coup attempts as she pushed through land reform and a new democratic constitution. She spent the last few years of her life being involved in the street protests against the authoritarian and corrupt Arroyo regime.
Cory Aquino was not without her faults. Her presidency as a whole was a mixed bag and failed to end some of the major economic problems in the country. She initially worked with the Communist forces against Marcos and released hundreds of prisoners when she took office. Unfortunately, the two sides were unable to reach a peace agreement and she restarted the bloody conflict against the communist insurgency. Despite this, Jose Maria Sison and the National Democratic Front have only spoke of goodwill and condolences to her family.
Rest in Peace Cory
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