oday, we commemorate the death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino. Often heralded as the catalyst of the EDSA Revolution, 8list.com.ph asked a panel of experts a bit of alternative history: what would Ninoy be doing today if he were not assassinated?

The answers might surprise you.

8.Che Che Lazaro

I think that Ninoy’s death happened at a unique time in our history, when events and latent feelings of unrest, disappointment and aspiration converged.
The Filipino is a patient sort of people but we had reached a simmering point when our aspirations as a people had been denied for the longest time.  We were about to lose our patience. His assasination provided the tipping point to which we responded by mounting a peaceful revolution.
If Ninoy had not been assassinated, I think we would have continued to trudge along, hoping something would change.
I feel certain however, that we would have reached the tipping point eventually. Maybe not with lightning speed as August 21 did—but no less dramatic. –Cheche Lazaro, Journalist

7.Anonymous Political Science Intellectual:

Years of incarceration (solitary confinement) and then US exile might have softened Ninoy, dubbed by journalists then as “the enfant terrible of Philippine politics”. Had he lived, he could have pursued his plan of critically collaborating with his Upsilon Sigma Phi brod Macoy. There were, however, several power cliques within the seemingly monolithic Marcosian dictatorial structure. The most powerful of these cliques was none other than the one led by Imelda and her cohorts, notably Fabian Ver, who truly despised Ninoy. In other words, even if Marcos acceded in “working” with Ninoy to address the nation’s pressing concerns, Ninoy would still be killed—sooner or later.

6.Noemi Dado:

Ninoy Aquino would have been your regular trapo if he was still alive today.  “Ninoy was an overly ambitious politician who so coveted the presidency  he co-opted the Communist Party of the Philippines to help him implement a way of becoming the republic’s president, notably: the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party’s Miting de Avance (infra).”  Since Ninoy Aquino came from an oligarch family (Cojuangco-Aquino), the usual political agenda is to protect their vested interests or their dynasty. Has there been any trapo that truly worked for the people? The Philippines is one of the highest poverty rates among emerging Asian economies.
Like most politicians, Ninoy’s slogan “the Filipinos are worth dying for” is just similar to  Former President Ferdinand Marcos “this country can be great again” , all meant to propel them to power.  Ninoy’s only real claim to fame was being a hero after getting shot upon his return to The Philippines. –Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, Mom Blogger

Source: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/441817/rich-poor-divide-in-ph-widening
https://musingsbyroy.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/truth-is-worth-dying-for/

5. Senator TG Guingona:

If Ninoy were alive, he’d be giving advice to Noynoy right now. –TG Guingona, Senator

4.King DJ Logan

Probably would’ve been a good leader. He was after all, next in line to be president. Also he would’ve given farmers their land. –King DJ Logan, Wave 89.1 DJ

3. Gabe mercado

An older relative once described a young Ninoy Aquino as being exactly like Dick Gordon – only smarter and more arrogant.
If you read however Ninoy’s writings from his time in solitary confinement, it seems that that it changed him dramatically.
I am not sure though that it would have been enough to make him appealing to the general public if he had lived to challenge Marcos in a truly free and democratic electoral process. He was brilliant, eloquent, and a one-time wonder kid—too much like the man he would have replaced.
Yes, he would have made a great leader but I am not sure if he would have been elected. Cory, the martyr’s housewife—simple, straightforward and sincere—she was the perfect foil to Ferdy and Imelda. It was she who captured our imaginations and united us as a people. –Gabe Mercado, actor and SPIT (Silly People’s Improv Theater) Founder

2.Fabucelles(Philippine Online Chronicles)

Kung wiz natsuk-tsak tienes si Ninoy, marahil, wapakels pa rin ang mga Pinoy, since kahit hanggang ngayon, wapakels pa rin ang karamihan, kahit na malaya na tayong makipag-warlahan sa mga nang-Aapi Hiking Society sa atetch.
Marahil, tumatakbo pa rin si Ninoy bilang pangulo, at posibleng  witchicola ang showbiz career ni Kristeta dahil wala siyang Sympathy Austin sa kanyang side. –Fabucelles, Showbiz Columnist

1.Vencer Crisostomo: 

Kung buhay si Ninoy, baka nakatikim ng katakot-takot na sermon si Noynoy.
Sinsabon na malamang ni Ninoy ang anak sa pagtanggi nitong iabolish ang pork barrel at pagpapalala pa ng katiwalian. Baka binatukan ito kung malamang kinakaltasan ang pondo para mga pamantasan at isinasapribado ang mga ospital.
Malamang dismayado si Ninoy na inuuna ni Noynoy ang interes ng dayuhan at malalaking negosyo, habang nanatiling maralita ang marami, habang dinedemolish pa ang kabahayan ng maralita. Baka sinasabon na si Noynoy sa pagpayag niya sa unlimited na pagbabase ng Estados Unidos sa bansa.
Mangagalaiti si Ninoy sa patuloy na paglabag sa karapatang pantao at pagkakulong pa rin ng daan-daang political prisoners a-la Marcos hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

Kung buhay si Ninoy, di malayong siya ay dismayado, kabilang pa rin sa mga magpoprotesta at kumikilos para sa tunay na pagbabago. –Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan Chairperson

What do you think Ninoy would be doing today if he hadn’t been asassinated? Share in the Comments Section below.

This article was first published on Aug. 21, 2013.

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