Cory taught 'moral clarity, humility' — grandson

With divisiveness and acrimony characterizing Philippine politics, the late president Corazon Aquino teaches Filipinos to exercise moral clarity and humility, her grandson said.

- - EJ Macababbad

On Aquino's 16th death anniversary, The STAR asked Kiko Aquino Dee about the lessons that could be drawn from the life of the nation's 11th president amid today's politically fraught times.

"Our grandmother clearly stood firm on what she believed was right," Dee, the executive director of Ninoy and Cory Foundation, said in a phone interview.

"She's not bragging that her position was the only thing right. She provided moral clarity and humility," he added.

Aquino's clan opted to commemorate her death anniversary privately, according to Dee.

The late democracy icon catapulted to power in 1986, three years after her husband, Ninoy, was shot at the tarmac of Manila International Airport.

She led a four-day peaceful uprising as allegations of cheating mounted in that year's snap elections, which saw the opposition rallying behind Aquino to defeat the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In the dark days of the dictatorship, Aquino shone for standing firm, despite the threats she faced at the time.