Corazon Aquino

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Lore & Background

Corazon Aquino was born to the prominent Cojuangco family. She graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York in 1953 with a major in French and minor in mathematics. She married Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., a prominent critic of President Marcos, and the couple had five children, including future president Benigno Aquino III and entertainer Kris Aquino. After her husband's assassination on August 21, 1983, she emerged as leader of the opposition. In late 1985, Marcos called for a snap election; Aquino ran for president with Salvador Laurel as her running mate. After the February 7, 1986 election, the Batasang Pambansa proclaimed Marcos and Arturo Tolentino as winners, prompting allegations of fraud and Aquino's call for massive civil disobedience actions. The People Power Revolution, a non-violent mass demonstration from February 22 to 25, 1986, ousted Marcos, and Aquino, with no prior political experience, was sworn in as president on February 25, 1986.

Reader's Guide

As president, Aquino spearheaded the development of the 1987 Constitution, which limited the powers of the presidency and re-established the bicameral Congress, removing the previous dictatorial government structure. The constitution also affirmed social justice and equality as guiding principles of national development. Her economic policies focused on forging good economic standing amongst the international community as well as disestablishing Marcos-era crony capitalist monopolies, emphasizing the free market and responsible economy. Her administration pursued peace talks to resolve the Moro conflict, resulting in the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Aquino was criticized for the Mendiola Massacre, which resulted in the shooting deaths of at least 12 peaceful protesters by Philippine state security forces. The Philippines faced various natural calamities in the latter part of her administration, such as the 1990 Luzon earthquake, 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption, and Tropical Storm Thelma. Several coup attempts were made against her government. She left office in 1992 and remained active in political activities. Aquino was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008 and died the following year. Her funeral was the subject of global media coverage, and monuments and public landmarks in the country were named in her honor.

Did You Know?

• Aquino volunteered for the campaign of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Thomas Dewey against Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman during the 1948 United States presidential election.
• She sold some of her prized inheritance to fund the candidacy of her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
• More than two million people participated in the funeral procession of her husband, Benigno Aquino Jr., after his assassination on August 21, 1983.
• A petition of 1.2 million signatures was publicly presented to Aquino on December 1, 1985, urging her to run for president.
• Aquino was fluent in French, Japanese, Spanish, and English aside from her native Tagalog and Kapampangan.