View source for Ninoy Aquino

{{Short description|Filipino politician (1932–1983)}}
{{Philippine name|Aquino|[[Aquino family|Aquino]]}}
{{Redirect2|Benigno Aquino Jr.|Sen. Ninoy Aquino|other uses|Ninoy Aquino (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|text=his father, [[Benigno Aquino Sr.]], nor his son, [[Benigno Aquino III]]}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Ninoy Aquino
| birth_name          = Benigno Simeón Aquino Jr.
| image               = Ninoy Aquino.jpg
| smallimage          = 
| caption             = Aquino, {{circa}} 1980s
| office              = [[Senator of the Philippines]]
| office3             = Mayor of [[Concepcion, Tarlac]]
| term_start3         = December 30, 1955
| term_end3           = December 30, 1959
| office4             = Presidential Adviser on Defense Affairs
| term_start4         = 1949
| term_end4           = 1954
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1932|11|27}}
| birth_place         = [[Concepcion, Tarlac|Concepcion]], [[Tarlac]], [[Insular Government of the Philippine Islands|Philippine Islands]]
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|1983|8|21|1932|11|27}}
| death_place         = [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport|Manila International Airport]], [[Parañaque]], Philippines
| death_cause         = [[Assassination of Ninoy Aquino|Assassination]]
| restingplace        = [[Manila Memorial Park – Sucat]], [[Parañaque]], Philippines
| nationality         = <!-- use only when necessary per [[WP:INFONAT]] -->
| party               = [[Lakas ng Bayan|Laban]] (1978–1983)<br>[[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal]] (1959–1983)
| otherparty          = [[Nacionalista]] (1955–1959)
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Corazon Aquino|Corazon Cojuangco]]|October 11, 1954}} <!-- Benigno Aquino Jr. died in 1983, so that marriage ended with his death, no need to put here -->
| relatives           = [[Aquino family]]
| children            = 5, including [[Benigno Aquino III|Benigno III / "Noynoy"]] and [[Kris Aquino|Kris]]
| alma_mater          = [[Ateneo de Manila University]]<br>[[University of the Philippines Diliman]]
| occupation          = {{hlist|[[Journalist]]|politician}}
| signature           = Benigno Aquino Jr. Signature.svg
| website             = {{URL|http://www.ninoyaquino.ph/}}
| nickname            = Ninoy
| office1             = Governor of Tarlac
| vicegovernor1       = Lazaro Domingo 
| office2             = Vice Governor of [[Tarlac]]
| governor2           = Arsenio Lugay
| predecessor2        = '' Position established ''
| successor2          = Lazaro Domingo 
| termstart           = December 30, 1967
| termend             = September 23, 1972{{efn|Original term until December 30, 1973; cut short pursuant to the Declaration of Martial Law on September 23, 1972.}}
| termstart1          = February 17, 1961
| termend1            = December 30, 1967
| termend2            = February 15, 1961
| termstart2          = December 30, 1959
| predecessor1        = Arsenio Lugay
| successor1          = [[Danding Cojuangco]]
| predecessor3        = Nicolas Feliciano
| successor3          = Romeo Yumul
| president4          = [[Elpidio Quirino]]<br>[[Ramon Magsaysay]]
| parents             = [[Benigno Aquino Sr.]]<br>Aurora Aquino
| order1              = 18th
}}
<!-- The GOV.PH page on August 21, 2010 showed that the name is "Benigno Simeon Aquino Jr." See talk page for more discussion. -->

'''Benigno Simeón "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Quezon Service Cross|QSC]], [[Philippine Legion of Honor|CLH]], [[Knights of Rizal|KGCR]]}}<ref>Leonard, Thomas M. (2006). [https://books.google.com/books?id=3mE04D9PMpAC&pg=PA65 ''Encyclopedia of the developing world, Volume 1''].</ref><ref>Lentz, Harris M. (1988). [https://archive.org/details/assassinationsex0000lent_n1u3 <!-- quote=Benigno Simeon Aquino -wikipedia -iii -noynoy. --> ''Assassinations and executions: an encyclopedia of political violence, 1865–1986''].</ref><ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/31275/Benigno-Simeon-Aquino-Jr "Benigno Simeon Aquino Jr."]. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''.</ref><ref>Jessup, John E. (1998). [https://books.google.com/books?id=hP7jJAkTd9MC&pg=PA30 ''An encyclopedic dictionary of conflict and conflict resolution, 1945–1996''].</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|k|iː|n|oʊ}}, {{IPA|tl|bɛˌniːɡ.no ʔɐˈxiː.no|local}}; November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), was a Filipino politician who served as a [[senator of the Philippines]] (1967–1972) and governor of the province of [[Tarlac]] (1963–1967). Aquino was the husband of [[Corazon Aquino]], who became the 11th [[president of the Philippines]] after [[Assassination of Ninoy Aquino|his assassination]], and father of [[Benigno Aquino III]], who became the 15th president of the Philippines. Aquino, together with [[Gerry Roxas]] and [[Jovito R. Salonga]], helped form the leadership of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]]-based coalition against ex-President [[Ferdinand Marcos]]. Aquino was a significant emotional leader, who, together with the intellectual leader [[Jose Diokno|Sen. Jose W. Diokno]], led the overall opposition.

Early in his Senate career, Aquino vigorously attempted to investigate the [[Jabidah massacre]] in March 1968.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Vitug|first1=Marites Dañguilan|last2=Gloria |first2=Glenda M.|author-link1=Marites Vitug|title=Under the Crescent Moon|date=2000|publisher=Ateneo Center for Social Policy & Public Affairs|isbn=971-91679-7-1|page=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4d1wAAAAMAAJ|access-date=November 10, 2022|quote=...Benigno Aquino Jr., using his deft journalistic skills, put some of the pieces of the Jabidah puzzle together, but the picture remained incomplete. Nevertheless, [...] Aquino's was the most thorough investigation.}}</ref> Shortly after the imposition of [[Martial law in the Philippines|martial law]] in 1972, Aquino was arrested along with other members of the opposition. He was incarcerated for seven years. He has been described as Marcos' "most famous [[political prisoner]]".<ref name="RobertsAsh2011">{{cite book|author=Amado Mendoza Jr|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zD_S8Y2WbRsC&pg=PT155|title=Civil Resistance and Power Politics: The Experience of Non-violent Action from Gandhi to the Present|date=September 29, 2011|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-161917-5|editor1=Sir Adam Roberts|page=155|chapter=People Power’in the Philippines, 1983–86|editor2=Timothy Garton Ash}}</ref> He founded his own party, [[Lakas ng Bayan]], and ran in the [[1978 Philippine parliamentary election]], but all the party's candidates lost in the election. In 1980, he was permitted by Marcos and his wife [[Imelda Marcos|Imelda]] to travel to the United States for medical treatment following a heart attack. During the early 1980s, he became one of the most notable critics of the Marcos regime, and enjoyed popularity across the US due to the numerous rallies he attended at the time.

As the situation in the Philippines worsened, Aquino decided to return to face Marcos and restore democracy in the country, despite numerous threats against him. He was [[Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.|assassinated at the Manila International Airport]] on August 21, 1983, upon returning from his self-imposed exile. His death revitalized opposition to Marcos; it also catapulted his widow, Corazon, into the political limelight and prompted her to successfully run for a six-year term as president as a member of the [[United Nationalist Democratic Organization]] (UNIDO) party in the [[1986 Philippine presidential election|1986 snap election]].

Among other public structures, Manila International Airport has since been renamed [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] in his honor, and the [[Ninoy Aquino Day|anniversary of his death]] is a national holiday. Aquino has also been listed as a Motu Proprio human rights violations victim of the Martial Law era.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motu Proprio - |url=https://hrvvmemcom.gov.ph/roll-of-victims/roll-of-victims-motu-propio/ |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission |language=en-US |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104033728/https://hrvvmemcom.gov.ph/roll-of-victims/roll-of-victims-motu-propio/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Benigno Simeón Aquino Jr. was born in [[Concepcion, Tarlac]] on November 27, 1932, to [[Benigno Aquino Sr.]], who was then a senator from the [[Philippines's 3rd senatorial district|3rd district]] and [[Majority Floor Leader of the Senate of the Philippines|Senate majority leader]], and Aurora (née Aquino) Aquino<ref name="noynoyCriticizesKiansDeath">{{cite news |last1=Sadongdong |first1=Martin |title='Noynoy' criticizes Kian's death at the hands of Caloocan cops |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/21/noynoy-criticizes-kians-death-at-the-hands-of-caloocan-cops/ |newspaper=[[Manila Bulletin]] |date=August 21, 2017 |archive-date=September 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907121517/https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/08/21/noynoy-criticizes-kians-death-at-the-hands-of-caloocan-cops/ }}</ref><ref name="donaAuroraOnSon">{{cite web |title=Doña Aurora A. Aquino on her son Ninoy |url=http://malacanang.gov.ph/4538-dona-aurora-a-aquino-on-her-son-ninoy/ |website=Malacañang Website |publisher=Government of the Philippines |access-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908130429/http://malacanang.gov.ph/4538-dona-aurora-a-aquino-on-her-son-ninoy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> from a prosperous family of ''[[hacienda|hacienderos]]'', the original owners of Hacienda Tinang.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rimban |first=Luz |title=In Tarlac, CARP gives land to the wealthy |date=July 5, 2004 |url=https://old.pcij.org/stories/in-tarlac-carp-gives-land-to-the-wealthy/. |publisher=[[Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism]] |access-date=August 26, 2022 }}</ref>

His grandfather, [[Servillano Aquino]], was a general in the revolutionary army of [[Emilio Aguinaldo]], the officially recognized first [[President of the Philippines]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Aquinos of Tarlac in the Philippines |url=http://www.muntingnayon.com/page/100717/ |work=Munting Nayon |first=Renato |last=Perdon |date=May 17, 2010 |access-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref>

He received his elementary education at the basic education department of [[De La Salle University|De La Salle College]] and finished at the basic education department of [[Saint Joseph's College of Quezon City]]. He then graduated at the high school department of [[San Beda College]]. Aquino took his tertiary education at [[Ateneo de Manila University]] to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree, but he interrupted his studies.<ref name="mvs">Soliven, Maximo V. (August 26, 2008). [http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb005847.htm "Ninoy: In the Eye of Memory"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323022102/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb005847.htm |date=March 23, 2011}}.</ref> According to one of his biographies, he considered himself to be an average student; his grade was not in the line of 90s nor did it fall into the 70s. At the age of 17, he was the youngest war correspondent to cover the [[Korean War]] for ''[[The Manila Times]]'' of ''[[Don (honorific)|Don]]'' [[Chino Roces|Joaquín "Chino" Roces]]. Because of his journalistic feats, he received the Philippine Legion of Honor award from President [[Elpidio Quirino]] when aged 18. At 21, he became a close adviser to then [[Department of National Defense (Philippines)|Defense Secretary]] [[Ramon Magsaysay]]. Aquino took up law at the [[University of the Philippines Diliman]], where he became a member of [[Upsilon Sigma Phi]], the same fraternity as [[Ferdinand Marcos]]. He interrupted his studies again however to pursue a career in journalism. According to [[Maximo Soliven|Máximo Soliven]], Aquino "later 'explained' that he had decided to go to as many schools as possible, so that he could make as many new friends as possible."<ref name="mvs"/> In early 1954, he was appointed by President [[Ramon Magsaysay]], his wedding sponsor to his 1953 wedding at the Our Lady of Sorrows Church in [[Pasay]] with Corazon Cojuangco, to act as personal emissary to [[Luis Taruc]], leader of the [[Hukbalahap]] rebel group. After four months of negotiations, he was credited for Taruc's unconditional surrender<ref>{{cite news |title=Benigno Simeon 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/331427/benigno-simeon-ninoy-aquino-jr |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |date=August 21, 2011}}</ref> and was given a second Philippine Legion of Honor award with the degree of Commander on October 14, 1954.<ref>{{cite web |title=On October 14, 1954, for successfully bringing Luis Taruc down from the hills, Ninoy Aquino got his second Legion of Honor award |url=http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/post/30023940935/on-october-14-1954-for-successfully-bringing |publisher=Presidential Museum and Library/[[Presidential Communications Group (Philippines)|PCDSPO]] |date=August 29, 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506025513/http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/post/30023940935/on-october-14-1954-for-successfully-bringing |archive-date=May 6, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Political career==
[[File:Ramon Magsaysay and Ninoy Aquino 1951.jpg|thumb|left|Confernment of the [[Philippine Legion of Honor]] (rank of Pinuno) to Benigno Aquino Jr. (right) by then-[[Secretary of National Defense (Philippines)|Defense Secretary]] [[Ramon Magsaysay]] in August 1951]]

Aquino gained an early familiarity with Philippine politics, as he was born into one of the Philippines' political and landholding clans. His grandfather served under President Aguinaldo, and his father held office under Presidents [[Manuel L. Quezon|Quezon]] and [[Jose P. Laurel]]. As a consequence, he became mayor of Concepcion in 1955 at the age of 23.<ref name="1953mayor">{{cite news |title=Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr. remembered for his heroism and courage on his 79th Birth Anniversary |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/342714/senator-benigno-ninoy-aquino-jr-remembered-his-heroism-and-courage-his-79th-birth-an |newspaper=Manila Bulletin |date=November 27, 2011}}</ref> Five years later, he was elected the nation's youngest vice governor at 27 (the record was later surpassed by [[Bongbong Marcos]] at 22 in [[1980 Philippine local elections|1980]]). Two years later, he became [[governor of Tarlac]] province in 1961 and then secretary-general of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]] in 1966.

In 1968, during his first year as senator, Aquino alleged that Marcos was on the road to establishing "a garrison state" by "ballooning the armed forces budget," saddling the defense establishment with "overstaying generals" and "militarizing our civilian government offices."<ref>{{cite book|title=Famous Assassinations in World History: An Encyclopedia|first=Michael|last=Newton|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2014|page=18|isbn=978-1610692861}}</ref><ref name=Teodoro>{{cite web|url=http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=aquino-vs-marcos-reprised&id=124027|title=Aquino vs Marcos reprised|first=Luist|last=Teodoro|work=Vantage Point|publisher=[[BusinessWorld]]|date=March 4, 2016|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=September 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913185424/http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=aquino-vs-marcos-reprised&id=124027|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Aquino became known as a constant critic of the Marcos regime, as his flamboyant rhetoric had made him a darling of the media. His most polemical speech, "A Pantheon for Imelda", was delivered on February 10, 1969. He assailed the [[Cultural Center of the Philippines|Cultural Center]], the first project of First Lady [[Imelda Marcos]] as extravagant, and dubbed it "a monument to shame" and labelled its designer "a megalomaniac, with a penchant to captivate". By the end of the day, the country's broadsheets had blared that he labelled the President's wife, his cousin Paz's former ward, and a woman he had once courted, "the Philippines' [[Eva Peron]]". President Marcos is said to have been outraged and labelled Aquino "a congenital liar". The First Lady's friends angrily accused Aquino of being "ungallant". These so-called "fiscalization" tactics of Aquino quickly became his trademark in the Senate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spot.ph/arts-culture/46380/remembering-ninoy-aquino-his-life-and-words-|title=Remembering Ninoy Aquino: His Life and Words|publisher=www.spot.ph|date=August 19, 2010|access-date=September 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name=Teodoro/>

[[File:Jose W. Diokno and Ninoy Aquino.png|thumb|left|Aquino with [[Jose W. Diokno]]; the two main opposition leaders arrested by Marcos in [[Laur, Nueva Ecija]] after [[Proclamation No. 1081]]]]
[[File:President Marcos meets Ninoy Aquino.jpg|thumb|Undated photo of President [[Ferdinand Marcos]] meeting Aquino]]
It was not until the [[1971 Plaza Miranda bombing|Plaza Miranda bombing]] on August 21, 1971, that the pattern of direct confrontation between Marcos and Aquino emerged. At 9:15&nbsp;pm, at the kick-off rally of the Liberal Party, the candidates formed a line on a makeshift platform and were raising their hands as the crowd applauded. The band played, a fireworks display drew all eyes, when suddenly two loud explosions obviously were not part of the show. In an instant, the stage became a scene of wild carnage. The police later discovered two fragmentation grenades that had been thrown at the stage by "unknown persons". Eight people died, and 120 others were wounded, many critically.

Aquino, elected senator in 1967, was not a candidate in the 1971 midterm election hence was not in Plaza Miranda, but his absence caused some to assume that Aquino's friends in the [[New People's Army]] (NPA) tipped him off in advance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hamilton-Paterson|first=James|title=America's Boy: The Marcoses and the Philippines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-L4PBAAAQBAJ&q=ninoy+tipped+plaza+miranda&pg=PT278|isbn=9780571320196|date=August 21, 2014|publisher=Faber & Faber }}</ref> Unnamed sources accused Aquino of being involved. No one has ever been prosecuted for the attack.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/777194/joma-sison-cpp-ninoy-have-no-role-in-plaza-miranda-bombing|title=Joma Sison: CPP, Ninoy have no role in Plaza Miranda bombing|last=Gonzales|first=Yuji Vincent|access-date=January 31, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Many historians continue to suspect Marcos as the culprit behind the incident, as he is known to have used [[false flag]] attacks as a pretext for his declaration of martial law at that time.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RmMCmvYBQtMC&q=marcos.+plaza+miranda&pg=PA280|title=International Handbook of Human Rights|last1=Donnelly|first1=Jack|last2=Howard|first2=Rhoda E.| author2-link = Rhoda E. Howard | date=1987|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313247880|pages=280–281|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_0TBwAAQBAJ&q=marcos.+plaza+miranda&pg=PT1225|title=World Terrorism: An Encyclopedia of Political Violence from Ancient Times to the Post-9/11 Era: An Encyclopedia of Political Violence from Ancient Times to the Post-9/11 Era|last=Ciment|first=James|date=March 10, 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317451518|language=en}}</ref> Historian Joseph Scalice, however, has argued that while the Marcos government was allied with the [[Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930|Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas]] (PKP) in carrying out bombings in the early 1970s,<ref>{{Cite AV media|author=
[[University of California, Berkeley|Cseas Departmental]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGtPakyEGr8|title=Three Grenades in August: Fifty Years since the Bombing of Plaza Miranda in the Philippines|date=March 5, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2023|time=50:41}}</ref> "the evidence of history now overwhelmingly suggests that the [[Communist Party of the Philippines]], despite being allied with the Liberal Party, was responsible for this bombing, seeing it as a means of facilitating repression which they argued would hasten revolution."<ref>{{Cite AV media|author=[[Harvard University Asia Center]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYL0514wTI|title=The Imposition of Dictatorship:Fifty Years Since Marcos'Declaration of Martial Law in thePhilippines|date=September 24, 2022|access-date=March 6, 2023|time=36:05}}</ref>

==Early martial law years==
Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972, through [[Proclamation No. 1081]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Philippines during martial law|url=http://www.philippine-history.org/martial-law-philippines.htm|publisher=www.philippine-history.org|access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> and went on air to broadcast his declaration on the midnight of September 23.<ref>{{cite web|title=Televised proclamation of martial law by Marcos| date=June 25, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iz1eZlNuU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/14iz1eZlNuU| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 30, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Aquino and Sen. Diokno were two of the first to be arrested, and were imprisoned in [[Fort Bonifacio#Martial law|Fort Bonifacio]] on trumped-up charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms and subversion. Aquino was tried before Military Commission No. 2, headed by Major-General Jose Syjuco and moved to the Codenamed "Alpha" Room at [[Fort Magsaysay]] in [[Laur, Nueva Ecija]].

On April 4, 1975, Aquino announced that he was going on a hunger strike, a fast to the death to protest the injustices of his military trial. Ten days through his hunger strike, he instructed his lawyers to withdraw all the motions he had submitted to the Supreme Court. As weeks went by, he subsisted solely on salt tablets, sodium bicarbonate, amino acids and two glasses of water a day. Even as he grew weaker, suffering from chills and cramps, soldiers forcibly dragged him to the military tribunal's session. His family and hundreds of friends and supporters heard Mass nightly at the [[Santuario de San Jose]] in [[Greenhills, San Juan]], praying for his survival. Near the end, Aquino's weight dropped from 54 to 36 kilograms. Aquino nonetheless was able to walk throughout his ordeal. On May 13, 1975, on the 40th day, his family and several priests and friends, begged him to end his fast, pointing out that even Christ fasted only for 40 days.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Hindi Kami Nag-iisa' {{!}} OneNews.PH |url=https://www.onenews.ph/articles/hindi-kami-nag-iisa |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=‘Hindi Kami Nag-iisa’ {{!}} OneNews.PH |language=en}}</ref> He acquiesced, confident that he had made a symbolic gesture.

He, however, remained in prison, and the trial continued, drawn out for several years. Throughout the trial, Aquino said that the military tribunal had no authority over his and his co-accused cases.<ref name="mvs" /> On November 25, 1977, the Military Commission found Aquino, along with [[New People's Army|NPA]] leaders [[Bernabe Buscayno]] (''Kumander Dante'') and Lt. [[Victor Corpus]], guilty of all charges and sentenced them to death by firing squad.<ref name="asianjournalusa.com">{{cite news|title=Max Soliven recalls Ninoy Aquino: Unbroken|url=http://asianjournalusa.com/max-soliven-recalls-ninoy-aquino-unbroken-p5828-87.htm|access-date=August 30, 2013|newspaper=Philippines Star|date=October 10, 2008|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016015855/http://asianjournalusa.com/max-soliven-recalls-ninoy-aquino-unbroken-p5828-87.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shaw|first=Terri|date=November 26, 1977|title=Marcos Opponents Sentenced to Death|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1977/11/26/marcos-opponents-sentenced-to-death/8131f09b-57e0-4bf1-9931-b255cb4f8951/|access-date=November 3, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Marcos commuted their death sentence<ref>{{cite news|title=BENIGNO AQUINO, BITTER FOE OF MARCOS|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/22/obituaries/benigno-aquino-bitter-foe-of-marcos.html|date=August 22, 1983}}</ref> due to international pressure over his government's human rights record.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=August 21, 2013|title='I would rather die on my feet with honor': A Ninoy Aquino timeline, 1968-1983|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/322972/lifestyle/i-would-rather-die-on-my-feet-with-honor-a-ninoy-aquino-timeline-1968-1983/|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=GMA News Online|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=June 8, 2020|title=10 Lesser-Known Photos from Martial Law Years That Will Blow You Away|url=https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/10-lesser-known-photos-from-martial-law-years-that-will-blow-you-away/|url-status=live|access-date=November 3, 2021|website=Martial Law Chronicles|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924114959/https://www.martiallawchroniclesproject.com/10-lesser-known-photos-from-martial-law-years-that-will-blow-you-away/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

==1978 election, bypass surgery==
[[File:PH1-06132016 fort-boni GN1.jpg|thumb|The room where Aquino was detained from August 1973 to 1980]]
In 1978, from his prison cell, Aquino was allowed to run in the [[1978 Philippine parliamentary election]]. As Ninoy's Liberal Party colleagues were boycotting the election, he formed the ''[[Lakas ng Bayan]],'' an umbrella coalition of opposition parties and individuals. The party had 21 candidates for the Region VI-A ([[Metro Manila]]) area, including Ninoy himself. While initially agreeing to the boycott due to "''the government already [having] the forces in its command and the entire machinery of politics which [they] do not have,''" Aquino later changed his mind and opted to take part in the elections to have the chance to "''talk to the people,''" having been imprisoned for almost six years at that point.<ref name="FTN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDhKhI0LJYw&t=351s|title=NINOY AQUINO's "FACE THE NATION" FULL INTERVIEW! (3/10/1978)|date=September 14, 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref>

On March 10, 1978, he was entitled to one television interview on [[People's Television Network|GTV]]'s ''Face the Nation,'' hosted by [[Ronnie Nathanielsz]] with panelists Enrique Romualdez of the Daily Express, Reynaldo Naval of the Times Journal and Teddy Owen of Bulletin Today. The interview proved to a startled and impressed populace that imprisonment had neither dulled his "rapier-like tongue" nor dampened his fighting spirit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/02/02/427424/how-things-have-turned-upside-down/|title=How things have turned upside down|last=Juico|first=Philip Ella|work=BusinessWorld}}</ref> According to Aquino, he wanted to give the people a vehicle to express their frustration or their anger and to serve as a fiscalizer in the [[Interim Batasang Pambansa]]. He further justified his candidacy in Metro Manila instead of his home province of [[Tarlac]] as to submerge his popularity, with a victory meaning that the opposition of win, instead of himself just winning.<ref name=FTN /> However, all of the party's candidates lost the election, with Aquino being the best-performing opposition candidate, ranking 22nd in the 21-seat at-large contest.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roces|first1=Alejandro|title=Lakas ng Bayan candidates|url=http://www.philstar.com/opinion/354387/lakas-ng-bayan-candidates|website=Philippine Star|date=August 24, 2006|quote=The historically unprecedented noise barrage was an attestation they unanimously won that election, but they all lost in the counting.}}</ref>

In mid-March 1980, Aquino suffered a heart attack, mostly in a solitary cell. He was transported to the [[Philippine Heart Center]], where he suffered a second heart attack. [[Electrocardiography|ECG]] and other tests showed that he had a blocked artery. Philippine surgeons were reluctant to do a [[Coronary artery bypass surgery|coronary bypass]], because it could involve them in a controversy. In addition, Aquino refused to submit himself to Philippine doctors, fearing possible Marcos "duplicity"; he preferred to go to the United States for the procedure or return to his cell at Fort Bonifacio and die.

His request was granted and Ninoy was allowed to go to the United States for surgery, together with his entire family. This was arranged after a secret hospital visit by Imelda Marcos. This "emergency leave" was set up when Ninoy supposedly agreed to the conditions that, first, he will return, and second, he will not speak out against Marcos in the US. Ninoy was operated on by Rolando M. Solis, a Filipino American and the longest-practicing cardiologist in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], where the operation took place. After the surgery, Ninoy made a quick recovery, after which he decided to renounce the agreement, saying, "a pact with the devil is no pact at all".<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Philippine Star|title=Ninoy Aquino: Fight for Freedom|url=http://www.ninoyaquino.ph/exile-begins.html}}</ref>

He, Cory and their children started a new life in Massachusetts. He continued to work on two books and gave a series of lectures while on fellowship grants from [[Harvard University]] and [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]. His travels across the US had become opportunities for him to deliver speeches critical of the Marcos government, going as far as [[Damascus]] in order to meet with Muslims and the [[MNLF]] in order to mediate in the [[Moro conflict]].<ref name="LA" /><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Philippine Star|title=Important moments in Ninoy Aquino's life|date=August 21, 2014|url=http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/2014/08/21/1360124/important-moments-ninoy-aquinos-life|access-date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> Throughout his years of expatriation, Aquino was always aware that his life in the U.S. was temporary. He never stopped affirming his eventual return even as he enjoyed American hospitality and a peaceful life with his family on American soil. After spending seven years and seven months in prison, Aquino's finances were in ruins. Making up for the lost time as the family's breadwinner, he toured America; attending symposiums, lectures, and giving speeches in freedom rallies opposing the Marcos government. The most memorable was held at the [[Wilshire Ebell Theater]] in Los Angeles, California on February 15, 1981.<ref name="LA">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHyJYcUIUjg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/jHyJYcUIUjg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=An NATv Exclusive: Ninoy Aquino's memorable speech in Los Angeles! (1 of 9) |date=January 15, 2009 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=January 15, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Planned return to the Philippines==
[[File:Benigno Aquino Jr. 1973.jpg|thumb|left|Benigno Aquino Jr. delivering a speech during his trial to the Military Commission No. 2 in 1973.]]
In the first quarter of 1983, Aquino received news about the deteriorating political situation in his country and the rumored declining health of President Marcos (due to [[Lupus erythematosus|lupus]]). He believed that it was expedient for him to speak to Marcos and present to him his rationale for the country's return to democracy, before extremists took over and made such a change impossible. Moreover, his years of absence made his allies worry that the Filipinos might have resigned themselves to Marcos' strongman rule and that without his leadership the centrist opposition would die a natural death.<ref>{{Cite web|title=REMEMBERING THE 30TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF SEN. BENIGNO "NINOY" AQUINO, JR.|url=https://warsawpe.dfa.gov.ph/2014-01-27-11-06-55/130-30th-death-anniversary-of-sen-ninoy|date=August 21, 2013|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref>

Aquino decided to go back to the Philippines, fully aware of the dangers that awaited him. Warned that he would either be imprisoned or killed, Aquino answered, "if it's my fate to die by an assassin's bullet, so be it. But I cannot be petrified by inaction, or fear of assassination, and therefore stay in the side..."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/21/newsid_2534000/2534945.stm |title=BBC ON THIS DAY &#124; 21 &#124; 1983: Filipino opposition leader shot dead |work=BBC News |date=August 21, 1968 |access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref> His family, however, learned from a Philippine Consular official that there were orders from Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to issue any passports for them. At that time, their passports had expired and their renewal had been denied. They therefore formulated a plan for Aquino to fly alone (to attract less attention), with the rest of the family to follow him after two weeks. Despite the government's ban on issuing him a passport, Aquino acquired one with the help of [[Rashid Lucman]], a former [[Mindanao]] legislator and founder of the Bangsamoro Liberation Front, a [[Moro people|Moro]] separatist group against Marcos. It carried the alias ''Marcial Bonifacio'' (Marcial for martial law and Bonifacio for Fort Bonifacio, his erstwhile prison).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/aug/21/nat_4-1.htm |title=Services – INQUIRER.net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516180338/http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/aug/21/nat_4-1.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He eventually obtained a legitimate passport from a sympathizer working in a Philippine consulate through the help of [[Roque Ablan Jr.]], who was then a congressman for [[Ilocos Norte]]. The Marcos government warned all international airlines that they would be denied landing rights and forced to return if they tried to fly Aquino back to the Philippines. Aquino insisted that it was his natural right as a citizen to come back to his homeland, and that no government could prevent him from doing so. He left [[Logan International Airport]] on August 13, 1983, took a circuitous route home from Boston, via [[Los Angeles]], to [[Singapore]]. In Singapore, then-Tunku [[Ibrahim Ismail of Johor]] met Aquino upon his arrival and later brought him to [[Johor]], [[Malaysia]] to meet with other Malaysian leaders.<ref name="AQUINO'S FINAL JOURNEY">[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E6DF153BF935A25753C1A965948260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=all AQUINO'S FINAL JOURNEY], [[Ken Kashiwahara]], October 16, 1983, ''The New York Times''</ref> Once in [[Johor]], Aquino met up with Tunku Ibrahim's father, Sultan [[Iskandar of Johor|Iskandar]], who was a close friend to Aquino.<ref>''Towards Relevant Education: A General Sourcebook for Teachers'' (1986), Education Forum, p. 305</ref>

He then left for Hong Kong and on to [[Taipei]]. He had chosen Taipei as the final stopover when he learned the Philippines had severed diplomatic ties with the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan). This made him feel more secure; the Taiwan government could pretend they were not aware of his presence. There would also be a couple of [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] friends accompanying him. From Taipei, he flew to Manila on then Taiwan's [[flag carrier]] [[China Airlines]] Flight 811.<ref name="AQUINO'S FINAL JOURNEY"/>

Marcos wanted Aquino to stay out of politics. However, Aquino asserted his willingness to suffer the consequences declaring, "the Filipino is worth dying for."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/BiographyAquinoCor.htm |title=1998 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding – Corazon Aquino |publisher=Rmaf.org.ph |access-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114150414/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/BiographyAquinoCor.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He wished to express an earnest plea for Marcos to step down, for a peaceful regime change and a return to democratic institutions. Anticipating the worst, at an interview in his suite at the [[Taipei Grand Hotel]], he revealed that he would be wearing a [[body armor|bullet-proof vest]], but he also said that "it's only good for the body, but in the head there's nothing else we can do." Sensing his own doom, he told the journalists accompanying him on the flight, "You have to be very ready with your hand camera because this action can become very fast. In a matter of a three or four minutes it could be all over, you know, and [laughing] I may not be able to talk to you again after this."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuEPFt-Dd-Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/zuEPFt-Dd-Q| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Ninoy Aquino: Worth Dying For (the last interview!) Original Upload |date=September 16, 2008 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=October 6, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His last televised interview,<ref>{{cite web|last=Laurie|first=Jim|title=Last televised interview and assassination|date=June 30, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vADEDZpetY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/1vADEDZpetY| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=August 30, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> with journalist [[Jim Laurie]], took place on the flight just prior to his assassination.

In his last formal statement that he was not able to deliver, he said, "I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence. I seek no confrontation."<ref>{{Cite book|title=State and Society in the Philippines|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTx7AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA222|isbn=978-0-7425-6872-3|first1=Patricio N.|last1=Abinales|year=2005|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|location=Lanham, MD|page=222|first2=Donna J.|last2=Amoroso|access-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref>

==Assassination and aftermath==
{{See also|People Power Revolution#Formation of coalesced opposition}}
[[File:China Airlines Boeing 767-209 B-1836 at Hong Kong - Kai Tak International Airport.jpg|thumb|B-1836, the aircraft involved in the assassination, taxiing at [[Kai Tak Airport]]]]
[[File:Ninoy's bloodied jacket, belt and boots.JPG|thumb|left|Bloodied shirt and clothes worn by Aquino during his assassination on display at the [[Aquino Center and Museum]] in [[Tarlac]] in July 2008]]
{{Main|Assassination of Ninoy Aquino}}

Aquino was shot in the head after returning to the Philippines in the early afternoon on August 21, 1983. About 1,000 security personnel had been assigned by the Marcos government to ensure Aquino's safe return to his detention cell in [[Fort Bonifacio]], but this did not prevent the assassination. Another man present at the airport tarmac, Rolando Galman, was shot dead shortly after Aquino was killed. The Marcos government falsely claimed that Galman was the trigger man in Aquino's assassination.

An investigation headed by Justice Corazon Agrava led to murder charges being filed against twenty-five military men and one civilian. They were acquitted by the [[Sandiganbayan]] on December 2, 1985, in what the Supreme Court would later describe as a "mock trial" ordered by "the authoritarian president" himself.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yamsuan|first=Cathy Cañares|date=August 22, 2021|title=Agrava report on Ninoy Aquino slay: Groundbreaking search for truth|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1476905/agrava-report-on-ninoy-slay-truth-seeking-groundbreaking|url-status=live|access-date=October 3, 2021|website=Inquirer|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821232016/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1476905/agrava-report-on-ninoy-slay-truth-seeking-groundbreaking |archive-date=August 21, 2021 }}</ref> The reaction was swift, a major coalition called [[JAJA]] or "Justice for Aquino, Justice for All" was formed in 1983.

After Marcos' government was overthrown, another investigation found sixteen soldiers guilty. They were sentenced in 1990 by the Sandiganbayan to life in prison, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Panganiban|first=Artemio V.|date=August 26, 2018|title=Who masterminded Ninoy's murder?|url=https://opinion.inquirer.net/115635/masterminded-ninoys-murder|access-date=July 15, 2021|website=Inquirer|language=en}}</ref> Some were released over the years, the last ones in March 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20090304-192228/10-Aquino-Galman-convicts-free-finally|title=10 Aquino-Galman convicts free finally|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=March 4, 2009|access-date=July 29, 2012|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106105009/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20090304-192228/10-Aquino-Galman-convicts-free-finally|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gavilan|first=Jodesz|title=LOOK BACK: The Aquino assassination|url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/look-back-ninoy-aquino-assassination|date=August 20, 2016}}</ref>

After the assassination, the opposition ran for the [[Regular Batasang Pambansa]] under the [[United Nationalist Democratic Organization]] (UNIDO) and the [[Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan]] (PDP–Laban) against the ruling [[Kilusang Bagong Lipunan]] of [[Ferdinand Marcos]]. In the wake of the massive outpouring of protest and discontent following the assassination of Aquino, the opposition performed better during the [[1984 Philippine parliamentary election]] compared to the [[1978 Philippine parliamentary election]], winning 61 seats out of 183 seats, or 33% of the total number of seats.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranada|first=Pia|title=Duterte says Filipinos should emulate Ninoy Aquino's courage amid pandemic|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-message-ninoy-aquino-day-2020|date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

==Funeral==
[[File:Benigno Aquino III family tombs CNE 02.jpg|thumb|The shared tomb of Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy Aquino at the [[Manila Memorial Park – Sucat]] in [[Parañaque]], Philippines, photographed in 2025.]]

Hours after the assassination, Aquino's remains were autopsied at Loyola Memorial Chapels in [[Makati]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/09/22/13/forgotten-details-old-story|title=Forgotten details from an old story|date=November 22, 2013|first=Luz|last=Rimban|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=February 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|first=JC|last= Punongbayan|number=1296673506734649345|user=jcpunongbayan|title=Last Feb, fotog Sonny Camarillo exhibited at TriNoma his photos of martial law and the events leading up to EDSA. I was struck the most by photos of Ninoy's corpse and the outpouring of support by Filipinos who braved the streets amid political and economic turmoil. #NinoyIsAHero|date=August 21, 2020}}</ref> Aquino's wife, [[Corazon Aquino|Cory]], was still in Boston when she was informed of the assassination through telephone by Japanese congressman and family friend [[Shintaro Ishihara]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Juico|first=Philip Ella|title=Tokyo governor extols heroism of Ninoy Aquino|url=https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/13/574400/tokyo-governor-extols-heroism-ninoy-aquino|access-date=September 16, 2024|work=[[The Philippine Star|Philstar.com]]|publisher=Philstar Global Corp.|date=May 13, 2010|location=[[Manila]], Philippines}}</ref> On the following day, his remains lay in state at the Aquino household in Times Street, [[Quezon City]] for several days, with his clothes unchanged, and no effort was made to disguise a bullet wound that had disfigured his face. His remains were also transferred to the [[Santo Domingo Church]] during that period. In an interview with Aquino's mother, Aurora, she told the funeral parlor not to apply makeup nor [[embalm]] her son, to show "what they did to my son". Aquino's wife, [[Corazon Aquino|Cory]], and children Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, [[Noynoy Aquino|Noynoy]], and [[Kris Aquino|Kris]] arrived in the Philippines on August 23. His remains were later brought to [[Tarlac]] on August 29 for a funeral in [[Concepcion, Tarlac|Concepcion]] and at the [[Hacienda Luisita]] Chapel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/28/world/crowds-mob-aquino-hearse-cardinal-rejects-inquiry-role.html|title=CROWDS MOB AQUINO HEARSE; CARDINAL REJECTS INQUIRY ROLE|first=Colin|last=Campbell|date=August 28, 1983|newspaper=New York Times|accessdate=March 29, 2024|page=1}}</ref> Thousands of supporters flocked to see the bloodied body of Aquino.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2009/08/23/498003/memories-august-1983|title=Memories from August 1983|first=Tingting|last=Cojuangco|author-link=Tingting Cojuangco|date=August 23, 2009|accessdate=March 29, 2024|publisher=The Philippine Star}}</ref>

Aquino's remains were returned to [[Metro Manila]] for a final funeral procession on August 31. It lasted from 9&nbsp;a.m., when his funeral mass was held at Santo Domingo Church, with the [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] [[Archbishop of Manila]], [[Jaime Sin]] officiating, to 9&nbsp;p.m., when his body was interred at the [[Manila Memorial Park – Sucat|Manila Memorial Park]] in [[Parañaque]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-president Aquino to be buried on June 26 beside parents — Kris |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/24/2107886/ex-president-aquino-be-buried-june-26-beside-parents-kris |website=Philstar.com |access-date=March 4, 2022}}</ref> More than two million people lined the streets for the procession. Some stations like the church-sponsored [[Radio Veritas]] and [[DZRH]] were the only stations to cover the entire ceremony.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/blogs/opinions/08/24/14/ninoy%25E2%2580%2599s-funeral-was-day-filipinos-stopped-being-afraid-dictators|title=Ninoy's funeral was the day Filipinos stopped being afraid of dictators|first=Raissa|last=Robles|date=August 25, 2014|access-date=May 31, 2021|website=ABS-CBN News|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213143/https://news.abs-cbn.com/blogs/opinions/08/24/14/ninoy%E2%80%99s-funeral-was-day-filipinos-stopped-being-afraid-dictators|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Jovito Salonga]], then head of the [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal Party]], referred to Aquino as "the greatest president we never had",<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.fnf.org.ph/online-exhibit/gallery14.html "The Greatest President We Never Had"]. Liberal Party of the Philippines.</ref> adding:
<blockquote>Ninoy was getting impatient in Boston, he felt isolated by the flow of events in the Philippines. In early 1983, Marcos was seriously ailing, the Philippine economy was just as rapidly declining, and insurgency was becoming a serious problem. Ninoy thought that by coming home he might be able to persuade Marcos to restore democracy and somehow revitalize the Liberal Party.<ref name="autogenerated1"/></blockquote>

==Historical reputation and legacy==
[[File:Benigno Aquino Jr 2000 stamp of the Philippines.jpg|thumb|Ninoy Aquino on a 2000 stamp of the Philippines]]
Although Aquino was recognized as the most prominent and dynamic politician of his generation, in the years prior to martial law, many regarded him as a representative of the entrenched familial elite which to this day dominates Philippine politics. Telegenic and articulate, Aquino had his share of detractors and was not known to be immune to the ambitions and excesses of the ruling political class. However, during his seven years and seven months imprisoned as a criminal, Aquino read the book ''Born Again'' by convicted [[Watergate]] conspirator [[Charles Colson]] and it inspired him to a rude awakening.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ripZFVtUQ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720050301/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ripZFVtUQ| archive-date=July 20, 2013 | url-status=dead|title=Ninoy Aquino's guest appearance on The 700 Club Part 1 |publisher=YouTube |date=December 23, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2011}}</ref>

As a result, the remainder of his personal and political life had a distinct spiritual sheen. He emerged as a contemporary counterpart of [[Jose Rizal]], who was among the most vocal proponents of the use of non-violence to combat a repressive regime at the time, following the model of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] and [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ranada|first=Pia|title=Robredo: Ninoy Aquino dared to believe in fairer, more humane Philippines|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/duterte-message-ninoy-aquino-day-2020|date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

Some oppositionist students who were active in the fight against the Marcos administration, including now-opposition Senator [[Risa Hontiveros]], recount that at the time they had originally thought of Aquino as just another "traditional politician," but began to acknowledge he was more than that when he took the risk of returning to the Philippines, and ultimately paid for his choice with his life.<ref name="MariejoRamos20200822UntilHeReturned">{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Mariejo S. |date=August 22, 2020 |title='80s students thought Ninoy 'just another trapo' – until he returned |language=en |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1325422/80s-students-thought-ninoy-just-another-trapo-until-he-returned |access-date=August 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2020/0821_hontiveros1.asp|title=Press Release - Statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the 37th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino|website=legacy.senate.gov.ph}}</ref>

=== Monuments and memorials ===
[[Image:BantayogWall20181115Alternativity-92A.jpg|left|thumb|Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the [[Bantayog ng mga Bayani]] in [[Quezon City]], showing names from the first batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Ninoy Aquino.]]

Manila International Airport (MIA), where he was assassinated, was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in 1987. Several schools, roads, and establishments, including the [[Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center]], were also named after him. His image was printed on the [[New Design series|New Design/BSP Series]] [[Philippine five hundred-peso note|500-peso note]]. With said series being demonetized starting 2013, his wife is now also featured along him on the [[New Generation Currency Series]].

On February 25, 2004, President [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] signed into law Republic Act No. 9256 on the 21st anniversary of his death as an annual [[Ninoy Aquino Day|special non-working holiday]] in the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.ph/events-and-holidays|title=Events and Holidays - GOV.PH|website=www.gov.ph|language=en-US|access-date=July 25, 2018}}</ref> In 2018, the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB) formally recognised Aquino, his wife [[Corazon Aquino]] and 126 other individuals as a ''[[motu proprio]]'' victim of human rights violations committed under the [[Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos|Marcos Sr. dictatorship]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hrvvmc.gov.ph/roll-of-victims/roll-of-victims-motu-proprio/ |title=Official List of Recognized Motu Proprio Human Rights Violations Victims |website=[[Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission]]}}</ref>

Several monuments were built in their honor. One of which is the bronze memorial at the intersection of [[Paseo de Roxas]] and [[Ayala Avenue]] in [[Makati]]. Another bronze statue stands in front of the Municipal Building of [[Concepcion, Tarlac]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Colcol|first=Erwin|title=Marcos statue beside Ninoy's in Tarlac a 'visual' attempt to end their family rivalry — solon|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/722906/marcos-statue-beside-ninoy-s-in-tarlac-a-visual-attempt-to-end-their-family-rivalry-solon/story/|date=January 20, 2020}}</ref> Other monuments include those at the [[People Power Monument]] in [[Quezon City]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spiritofedsa.com/ninoystatueppm.html|title=Spirit of Edsa Foundation|website=Spirit of Edsa Foundation|accessdate=March 29, 2024}}</ref> along [[Ninoy Aquino Avenue|his namesake avenue]] in [[Parañaque]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.alabangbulletin.com/paranaque-to-erect-ninoy-aquino-statue/|title=Paranaque to erect Ninoy Aquino statue|website=Alabang Bulletin|date=October 27, 2014|accessdate=March 29, 2024}}</ref> in [[Tarlac City]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1577760/wreaths-offered-at-disrespected-ninoy-statue|title=Wreaths offered at 'disrespected' Ninoy statue|first1= Krixia|last1=Subingsubing|first2=Maria Adelaida|last2=Calayag|website=INQUIRER.net|date=April 4, 2022|accessdate=March 29, 2024}}</ref> and two others in [[Manila]]; at the Intramuros-side of Padre Burgos Avenue corner [[Roxas Boulevard]], and around a kilometer down the aforementioned at Manila Baywalk opposite [[Pedro Gil Street]].

Aquino was also among the first to be honored at the [[Bantayog ng mga Bayani]], a monument dedicated to those who opposed the Marcos dictatorship, alongside fellow former senators [[Jose W. Diokno]] and [[Lorenzo Tañada]].

The [[Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resources Center]], the main university library of the [[Polytechnic University of the Philippines]], was also named in his honor.

==Honors==
'''National Honors'''
*[[File:PHL_Quezon_Service_Cross_BAR.png|45px]]: [[Quezon Service Cross]] - ''posthumous'' (August 21, 2004)
*[[File:PHL Legion of Honor - Commander BAR.png|45 px]]: Commander of the [[Philippine Legion of Honor]] First Bronze Anahaw Leaf (1958), for serving as Presidential Assistant for the Garcia Administration,
*[[File:PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Commander BAR.svg|45 px]]: [[Philippine Legion of Honor]], Commander (''Komandante'') (1954) for negotiation of [[Luis Taruc]]'s surrender to the Philippine Government.
*[[File:PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Officer BAR.svg|45 px]]: [[Philippine Legion of Honor]], Officer (''Pinuno''), 1950 for his service in reporting on the state of the Philippine troops in the Korean War
*[[File:Order_of_the_Knights_of_Rizal_Ribbon.png|45px]]: [[Order of the Knights of Rizal]] - Knight Grand Cross of Rizal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Story|url=https://www.knights-of-rizal.org/our-story/|url-status=live|website=Knights of Rizal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615010658/https://www.knights-of-rizal.org/our-story/ |archive-date=June 15, 2021 }}</ref> ''posthumous'' (1986)

'''International Honors'''
* Plaque of Appreciation from South Korea for the coverage of the [[Korean War]]
* Fellow, [[Harvard University]] for International Affairs – (1981–83)
* Fellow, [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] – (1981–83)

==Personal life==
On October 11, 1954, he married [[Corazon Aquino|Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco (Cory)]], with whom he had five children:<ref>[https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17858-47868-26?cc=1852584&wc=MPL9-3TG:167168101,167167702,167168102,208106401 "Philippines Civil Registration (National), 1945–1984; pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17858-47868-26 — FamilySearch.org"]. ''familysearch.org''.</ref>
*Maria Elena ("Ballsy", born August 18, 1955), married to Eldon Cruz, with sons Justin Benigno (Jiggy) and Eldon Jr. (Jonty)
*Aurora Corazon ("Pinky", born December 27, 1957), married to Manuel Abellada, with son Miguel Gerardo (Miguel) and daughter Ana Corazon (Nina)
*[[Benigno Aquino III|Benigno Simeon III]] ("Noynoy", February 8, 1960 – June 24, 2021⁠), the [[List of presidents of the Philippines|15th]] [[President of the Philippines]]
*Victoria Elisa ("Viel", born October 27, 1961), married to Joseph Dee, with son [[Kiko Aquino Dee|Francis Joseph]] (Kiko), daughter Jacinta Patricia (Jia)
*[[Kris Aquino|Kristina Bernadette]] ("Kris", born February 14, 1971), formerly married to [[James Yap]] (separated in 2010), with sons Joshua Philip Aquino Salvador (Josh) and [[James "Bimby" Aquino-Yap|James Aquino Yap Jr.]] (Bimby)

In a June 1981 interview with [[Pat Robertson]] on ''[[The 700 Club]]'', Aquino said he was raised [[Catholic Church in the Philippines|Catholic]]. According to him, his religious awakening began after reading [[Evangelical Christian]] author [[Charles Colson]]'s 1976 book ''Born Again'', during his solitary confinement under the Marcos regime.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD6jKICYFEE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/CD6jKICYFEE| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Ninoy Aquino Jr. Sought Freedom, He Found It In CHRIST!|time=6:13|access-date=November 23, 2016|work=The 700 Club Asia|publisher=[[The 700 Club]]|date=August 20, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== In popular culture===
Aquino was prominently featured in the 1988 Australian miniseries ''[[A Dangerous Life]]''. Aquino was portrayed by [[Amado Cortez]] in the 1994 film ''Mayor Cesar Climaco''. Then-Senator [[Raul Roco]], who was part of Aquino's Senate legal staff, portrayed him for the 1997 film ''Ilaban Mo, Bayan Ko: The Obet Pagdanganan story''. Then-[[Valenzuela, Metro Manila|Valenzuela]] Mayor [[Bobbit Carlos]] portrayed him in the 2003 biographical film ''[[Chavit (film)|Chavit: Blood Son of Ilocos]]''. In 2005, director [[Carlo J. Caparas]] and his wife, producer Donna Villa, began plans to produce a film about Aquino's assassination from the soldiers' point of view, while actor [[Cesar Montano]] intended to produce a film based on Aquino's life starring himself, though both projects did not come to fruition.<ref>{{cite news|last=Valera|first=Nini|title=No battle between 2 Ninoy movies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1qVjAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA68|access-date=January 9, 2024|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |publisher=The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.|date=September 4, 2006|page=E6}}</ref> His nephew, former Senator [[Bam Aquino]], portrayed him in the 2009 documentary film ''[[The Last Journey of Ninoy]]''. He was also portrayed by [[Isko Moreno]] and [[Jerome Ponce]] in the 2022 film ''[[Martyr or Murderer]]'',<ref name="MOMCastNov22MB">{{cite web |url= https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/25/darryl-yap-reveals-main-cast-of-martyr-or-murderer/ |title=Darryl Yap reveals main cast of 'Martyr Or Murderer' |publisher=Manila Bulletin |last1=Bernardino |first1=Stephanie |date=December 22, 2022 |access-date=January 5, 2023 }}</ref> while in the same year [[Juan Karlos Labajo|JK Labajo]] portrayed him in the historical drama film ''[[Ako si Ninoy]]''.

On television, Aquino was portrayed by [[Piolo Pascual]] on the two-part story of "The Ninoy & Cory Aquino Story" on ''[[Maalaala Mo Kaya]]'' in 2010, in the episodes entitled ''[[Kalapati]]'' and ''[[Makinilya]]''.

In theater, Aquino was portrayed by [[Conrad Ricamora]] in the [[Off-Broadway]] and [[Seattle Repertory Theater|Seattle]] productions of the musical ''[[Here Lies Love (musical)|Here Lies Love]]''. Ricamora reprises his role in the 2023 Broadway transfer of the musical.

Aquino wrote a 19-stanza poem for his wife [[Cory Aquino]] while in detention in 1973, entitled "I Have Fallen in Love with the Same Woman Three Times". The poem was made into a song by singer [[Jose Mari Chan]] and is included in his 1989 album ''[[Constant Change]]''.

==See also==
{{Portal|Philippines|Biography}}
*''[[Korea (1952 film)|Korea]]'', a 1952 war film with a "story by" credit for Aquino.
*[[Benigno Aquino III]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite news|url=http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/aug/21/nat_4-1.htm |title=The last time I saw Ninoy |first=Corazon C. |last=Aquino |author-link=Corazon Aquino |newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |date=August 21, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516180338/http://www.inq7.net/nat/2003/aug/21/nat_4-1.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2006 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web|author=NinoyAquinoTV |url=https://www.youtube.com/NinoyAquinoTV |title=Ninoy Aquino YouTube Channel |publisher=YouTube |access-date=December 30, 2011}}
*{{YouTube|id=hBzuQolq93A&feature=PlayList&p=20BE8D342C2F65DA&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1|title=History Channel's feature documentary on Aquino's Assassination}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Spaeth |first=Anthony |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060227/murder.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927150754/http://www.time.com/time/asia/covers/501060227/murder.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2006 |title=Murder Mystery |magazine=Time |date=February 27, 2006 |access-date=December 30, 2011}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.mainlib.upd.edu.ph/ipn/search.php?f=subject&auth=815 |title=The good die young: Sen. Benigno S. Aquino Jr. (1932–1983). Index to Philippine Periodicals |publisher=Mainlib.upd.edu.ph |access-date=December 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820214858/http://www.mainlib.upd.edu.ph/ipn/search.php?f=subject&auth=815 |archive-date=August 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080821-155890/Fewer-than-10-people-in-plot-5-core-5-others-in-the-know |title=Fewer than 10 people in plot; 5 core, 5 others 'in the know' – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos |publisher=Newsinfo.inquirer.net |access-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930105738/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080821-155890/Fewer-than-10-people-in-plot-5-core-5-others-in-the-know |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}
*{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080823-156342/The-Pattugalan-Memos-on-Project-Four-Flowers |title=The Pattugalan Memos on Project 'Four Flowers{{'-}} |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=December 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930105809/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080823-156342/The-Pattugalan-Memos-on-Project-Four-Flowers |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}
{{Refend}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-off}}
{{Succession box
| before= Arsenio Lugay
| title= Governor of [[Tarlac]]
| years= 1961–1967
| after= [[Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.]]
}}=
{{S-end}}

{{Corazon Aquino}}
{{Noynoy Aquino}}
{{Spouses of the President of the Philippines}}
{{Martial EDSA}}
{{Symbols of the Philippines}}
{{QSC Recipients}}
{{PLH Recipients}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aquino, Benigno Jr.}}
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:1983 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Filipino journalists]]
[[Category:Advisers to the president of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Aquino family|Benigno Aquino 2]]
[[Category:Assassinated Filipino politicians]]
[[Category:Ateneo de Manila University alumni]]
[[Category:Burials at the Manila Memorial Park – Sucat]]
[[Category:Cojuangco family]]
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Exiled politicians]]
[[Category:Filipino democracy activists]]
[[Category:Filipino dissidents]]
[[Category:Filipino exiles]]
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[[Category:Filipino political party founders]]
[[Category:Filipino prisoners and detainees]]
[[Category:Filipino Roman Catholics]]
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[[Category:Hunger strikers]]
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[[Category:Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians]]
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[[Category:Marcos martial law victims]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Tarlac]]
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[[Category:Asian social liberals]]
[[Category:People murdered in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Political prisoners]]
[[Category:Quirino administration personnel]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Quezon Service Cross]]
[[Category:Senators of the 6th Congress of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Senators of the 7th Congress of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Spouses of presidents of the Philippines]]
[[Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni]]
[[Category:Asian politicians assassinated in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Politicians assassinated in 1983]]
[[Category:Harvard University fellows]]