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Obituary - Cory Aquino
From housewife to people power President
by Tony Cross
Article published on the 2009-08-01 Latest update 2009-08-01 10:00 TU
Aquino speaks at a US base in 1992
(Photo: Roger Dutcher/US Defence Dept)
Former Philippines President Corazon "Cory" Aquino died on Saturday 1 August from colon cancer. A devout Catholic, she became the leader of a "people power" revolt after the murder of her husband. Despite a reputation for integrity, her presidency failed to resolve many of the problems she and her husband had fought against.
Here are the principal dates in Aquino's life:
* 1933: Born into the wealthy and powerful Cojuangco family in the northern province of Tarlac, educated in the US and Manila;
* 1954: Marries journalist Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, from another powerful Tarlac family, who is seen as potential President by many and a rival by authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos;
* 1972: Marcos declares martial law and jails hundreds of his opponents, including Ninoy Aquino, who later goes into exile in the US for medical reasons;
* 1983: Ninoy Aquino returns to the Philippines and is shot dead as he steps off the plane;
* 1986: Marcos wins elections but massive irregularities lead to huge protests, which are backed by the Aquino's supporters, the left and the Catholic church; Marcos is ousted by the "people power" movement, which adopts yellow as its colour, and flees the country;
Time magazine made Aquino its Womn of the Year in 1986
(Credit: Times)
* 1986-1992: Aquino rules as the Philippines 11th President, redrafts the constitution and electoral law, starts peace talks with communist and Muslim armed insurgents, frees political prisoners and tried to tackle corruption;
* 2001: Plays an active role in the so-called "Edsa revolution" which topples President Joseph Estrada and instals her protege Gloria Macapagal Arroyo;
* 2006: Criticises Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency, saying "It's really a pity to lose our democracy again";
* 2008: Expresses regrets for participating in the Edsa revolution and apolgises to Estrada, although a spokesperson later said that she spoke in jest; campaigns for her son Benigno III in his succesful campaign for a Senate seat; withdraws from public life when diagnosed with colon cancer;
* 2009: Admitted to a Manila hospital in June, reportedly refusing further medical treatment; dies on 1 August.
 Former president Corazon Aquino succumbs to cancer |
