Aquino envies Quezon’s lovelife

MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino, a bachelor at 52, said the late Manuel Quezon was “lucky” for having a wife while he was president of the country.  

In his speech at the commemoration ceremony of the 124th birthday of former First Lady Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon on Sunday, February 19, President Aquino unabashedly expressed how marriage could be have helped the former president during his term. 

“Mapalad nga po talaga si Pangulong Quezon dahil may kasalo siya sa hirap at ginhawa sa pamamahala sa bansa. Kaya nga po kung minsan, hindi ko po maiwasang isipin; iba po talaga siguro kapag may inspirasyon ka.”

(President Quezon was lucky since he had Dona Aurora beside him during his administration’s good times and bad. That’s why I sometimes cannot help but consider how an inspiration can make life better.) 

He went on to stress how Doña Aurora performed her role as First Lady.

“Humarap si Doña Aurora sa sangandaan ng buhay, kung saan nangibabaw ang pagmamahal niya sa bayan… Bilang Unang Ginang, naging tunay na katuwang siya ng kanyang kabiyak sa paglilingkod-bayan, at nanguna sa mga programang kumakalinga sa mas nangangailangan.”

(Doña Aurora faced crossroads but her love for country stood out. As First Lady, she helped her husband in serving the people and supported programs that reached out to the needy.)

President Aquino is the first bachelor president of the Philippines. He has dated several celebrities since he was elected to the highest post in 2010. He is currently dating TV and radio personality Grace Lee.  

Impeachment trial

Quezon was elected the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935, but died of tuberculosis in 1944. Dona Aurora stayed in the background during her husband’s political life, involving herself in various women’s organizations. 

She was killed by rebels while traveling to a hospital dedicated to her husband. The province of Aurora was named in her memory.

President Aquino then segued to the ongoing impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona, citing how a wronged society spawn rebellions. 

“Ito nga po ang maaaring kahantungan kapag nai-etsapuwera ang taumbayan sa sistema, kapag naiiwan si Juan dela Cruz sa laylayan ng lipunan: nagrerebelde sila, namamayani ang karahasan, at maraming inosenteng buhay ang naaapektuhan. Ganitong kadiliman po ang bumalot sa atin sa nakaraan dekada, na nagdulot ng malawakang pagdududa at pagdurusa ng ating mamamayan… Ito po ang nagbunsod sa paglilitis ngayon sa Senado kay Renato Corona. 

(These are the products of a rotten system that sets aside the needs of Juan dela Cruz (symbol of common Filipino). Many innocent lives are affected. Darkness enveloped our nation for a decade, causing our people strife. This is what led to the ongoing impeachment trial at the Senate against Renato Corona.)

Addressing people of the province of Aurora, he said he looks up to their congressmanin the House, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, who one of the spokespersons for the prosecution team, as well as to the elder Angara. 

Sen. Edgardo Angara is one of the senator-judges at the trial that is now on its 6th week. – Rappler.com