Press Release
July 8, 2009

PIMENTEL PRAYS FOR CORY'S STEADY RECOVERY

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today praised former President Corazon C. Aquino as a leader who faithfully and selflessly served her country as he joined fellow Filipinos in praying for her steady recovery from her illness.

Pimentel said Cory epitomized hope, sincerity and moral courage when she discharged the role that fate assigned to her upon the assassination of her husband, the late Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.

He said he saw how Cory accepted the challenge of leading the fight against the Marcos authoritarian regime without any hesitation but with personal conviction.

"We shall be forever indebted to Cory for rallying the nation behind the campaign to topple dictatorial rule and restore democracy unmindful of the risks and personal sacrifices that she faced during those turbulent days," said Pimentel who served as interior and local government secretary and chief negotiator with moro rebels' to Cory during her presidency.

It was to Pimentel that Cory entrusted the task of replacing overstaying local government executives, including political warlords and close associates of Marcos, who were then actively involved in destabilizing the fledgling Aquino government.

The senator from Cagayan de Oro City said that when he spearheaded the enactment of the Local Government during the 8th Congress, Cory wholeheartedly supported the landmark legislation despite the fact that this would result in the diminution of substantial powers of the presidency as these were devolved to local government units

"Cory willingly gave up those powers. By that magnanimous deed, she showed that she was never greedy for power. And also, nobody can accuse her of having stolen anything or enriched herself in office," Pimentel said.

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