The government has declared August 5, 2009 (Wednesday) a national special non-working holiday, in honor of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino. Tita Cory, as she is fondly called, passed away on 1 August 2009, at 3:18 a.m. She will be buried on August 5 and the holiday, contained in Proclamation No. 1851 (full text), is meant to allow Filipinos the opportunity to be with Pres. Aquino one last time.

Pres. Aquino died a few days from the death anniversary, on August 21, of her husband, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. (incidentally, August 21 is a special non-working holiday, and August 21-23 is another long weekend; click here for the rest of 2009 holidays). Ninoy was gunned down when he returned to the Philippines in August 21, 1983.

Pres. Cory, before she became president, was the housewife of Ninoy. Cory stood by Ninoy's side when he was imprisoned for seven years during Martial Law. Cory kept a low profile, making sure to stay away from the limelight focused on her husband, one of the main opposition leaders. As fate would have it, Cory was pushed to the limelight after Ninoy was assassinated in 1983.

Cory became the hesitant bearer of the opposition, against former President Ferdinand Marcos. Cory would become the President after the people revolution, which we now know as the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Pres. Aquino faced a number of coup attempts, among other problems, during her six-year term as President. So many issues have been thrown against her, perhaps just like any president. Pres. Aquino, however, was steadfast in her effort to rebuild and strengthen democratic institutions. She is a righteous leader who did not use her office to enrich herself. 

Almost a million people already went to LaSalle Greenhills show their respect to Pres. Aquino. Thousands more are expected to go. Declaring August 5 as a holiday is only fitting for this great woman and leader.