Sen. Roxas' speech on the 25th death anniversary of national hero Ninoy Aquino

Nagtitipon tayo ngayon para gunitain si Ninoy Aquino. Ang kanyang panindigan, ang kanyang tapang, at sa huli, ang kanyang sakripisyo para sa ating inang bayan. For a whole generation of Filipinos, that sacrifice, that image of Ninoy Aquino sprawled on the tarmac in the airport, and his words, that "The Filipino is worth dying for," has been an inspiration. Ninoy's was the spirit behind whom we rallied against the dictatorship. Si Ninoy ang rallying point natin sa literal at sa metapora. Naging bantayog na liwanag ang kadakilaan ni Ninoy. Dalawampu't limang taon na ngayon nang isakrepisyo ni Ninoy ang kanyang buhay.

Nandito tayo ngayon para muling sindihan ang apoy ng kabayanihan na pinagalab ni Ninoy Aquino. Ninoy stood for integrity. Ninoy stood for courage. Above all, Ninoy stood for hope. Ninoy stood for the idea that despite the darkness that surrounds us during those turbulent times, all is not lost for the Filipino. He gave meaning to our frustrations. He gave direction for our sacrifices.

Ninoy, kapartidong Ninoy, sinisuguro namin sa iyo bilang mga kasapi ng Partido Liberal, tuloy ang laban mo. Buong puso naming tinatanggap ang hamon bilang mga tagapagmana ng inyong kabayanihan at sakripisyo. We rededicate ourselves to the ideals that drove you and generations of Liberal Party stalwarts: conscience over ambition, principles over glory, and integrity above all. In these turbulent and trying times for our people, we rededicate, we recommit ourselves to this noble fight for our country's future.

Manindigan tayo para sa kinabukasan. Mabuhay si Ninoy Aquino. Mabuhay ang Partido Liberal.