Today we remember the life of former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino who died on the first day of August in 2009. She is largely known as the first female president of the Philippines, a leader of the People Power Revolution of 1986, and the main personality involved in the restoration of the country’s democracy. Aside from the big things she is known for, she had many other accomplishments, some of them subtle, others have been forgotten, and yet they cannot be labeled small or insignificant.
President Cory liked to work without fanfare as she was not your traditional politician. She definitely had delicadeza and integrity in great measure.
Under her administration, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was launched so farmers would no longer be landless. She also lifted the media restrictions that were in force during the Marcos rule, thereby granting greater freedom to journalists and media organizations.
As far as human rights go, President Cory was able to implement measures to address cases of human rights violations in the country, for example, by establishing the Presidential Committee on Human Rights. Many would remember that President Cory also created the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to recover the ill-gotten wealth amassed during the previous administration. This was her way of addressing corruption in government.
And she also actively worked to protect and conserve the environment, in the process supporting the creation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), tasked with overseeing environmental policies and regulations.
Tita Cory also symbolized the strong Filipina. Her presidency encouraged and inspired more women to participate in politics and public service. She raised the status of women when she signed Executive Order No. 209 in 1987, promulgating the Family Code and replacing Book 1 of the 1950 Civil Code of the Philippines.
The journalist Raissa Robles wrote, “President Cory’s action triggered profound (changes) in Philippine society…. The fact that we don’t even attribute that change to Cory Aquino—or even know about it—shows how subtle the process has been for the nation, the Filipino family, and many Filipino women.”
Her administration recognized the need to have new family laws that could address the changing times because the old Civil Code was influenced by the ancient Codigo Civil from our Spanish colonizers, which the Americans did not change and which our previous lawmakers, all of them male politicians, did not prioritize. As a woman, President Cory acted on the matter quickly.
Many of the effects of President Cory’s accomplishments are still being felt today. Because of her work, there have been plenty of privileges and benefits for the Filipino people. This is the essence of our remembrance today as we pray for her soul’s eternal peace. Her deeds outlasted her mortal life, and the fruits of her labor are making a great and positive impact on the lives of her people to this very day.