A thought paper about Corazon Aquino's Speech Before the US Congress
36 years ago back in September 1986, when former Philippine President Corazon S.
Aquino spoke to the US Congress, she urged the United States to help preserve the freedoms of
our country. Cory Aquino's speech began and adorned with numerous references to her husband,
former Senator Ninoy Aquino, whom the Philippine State designated as the personification of the
anti-Marcos movement. Her statement was built to accommodate Ninoy's fight with the struggle
of all people, as well as their family's history to the future of the entire country. She utilized
symbolic and figurative language to defend her attendance before the US Congress, referring to
her relationship to the departed Ninoy while also fulfilling her directives to the Filipinos. The
causes and consequences of the martial law era were investigated. She defined Martial Law as
an attempt to suppress a crisis using the instruments with which it grows, admitting that the
communist insurrection grew as a result of widespread hardship. He appears to have the most
faith in the United States, asking the country to assist the Philippines in exercising its democracy.
Looking at it today, it appears to be an open invitation for him to aid first and then utilize it for his
own strategic goals. Cory Aquino's speech, after seeing it, still fails to highlight the fundamental
program of economic and social development. It’s sad to realize that while these noble individuals
made many promises about our nation, some of them are still merely thoughts or promises.
By:
Chrean Marcial L. Labutap
BSIT-1A