See also the category "Talumpati." And whether you found what you were looking for or not, please leave a comment below so I can help you better.August 21, the day on which Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., was assassinated 23 years ago, was declared a national holiday in 2004 by virtue of Republic Act No. 9256. The excerpts below were taken from the speech that Aquino never got to deliver. The translation is mine. (Updated URL for "speech" on 22 August 2006, because the old one did not cite its source.)
Undelivered Speech
Benigno Aquino, Jr.
I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.
I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.
I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.
A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.
I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.
I never sought nor have I been given any assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end, justice will emerge triumphant.
I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer—faith in our people and faith in God.
Talumpating Di Naipahayag
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.
Malaya akong nagbalik upang makiisa sa mga nagsisikap ibalik ang ating mga karapatan at kalayaan sa payapang pamamaraan.
Hindi ako naghahanap ng laban. Ipinagdarasal ko lamang at sisikapin kong magkaroon ng tunay na pambansang pagkakaisang katarungan ang batayan.
Nakahanda ako sa anumang mangyayari, at nagpasiyang suwayin ang payo ng aking ina, ng aking tagapayong espiritwal, marami sa aking mga matalik na kaibigan at ilan sa aking pinakapinahahalagahang gabay sa pulitika.
May nag-aabang na parusang kamatayan sa akin. Dalawa pang paratang ng paghihimagsik, na parehong kamatayan ang parusa, ang isinampa sa akin mula nang ako ay lumisan tatlong taon na ang nakaraan at ngayon ay nasa mga hukuman.
Maari ko sanang hinangad mamalagi sa Amerika, subalit sa aking palagay, ang maghirap kasama ang aking mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahon ng matinding pangangailangan, ay aking katungkulan, tulad ng bawat Pilipino.
Hindi ako humingi o kaya ay nabigyan ng katiyakan, o pangako ng kapatawaran ng may kapangyarihan. Malaya akong nagbabalik tangan lamang ang aking malinis na konsyensiya at pinalalakas lamang ng aking pananampalatayang sa kahuli-hulihan, magwawagi rin ang katarungan.
Nagbalik ako mula sa ibang bayan tungo sa isang di-tiyak na kinabukasan na matinding pagnanais at pananampalataya lamang ang tangan—pananampalataya sa ating mga kababayan at pananampalataya sa Panginoon.
Category: Talumpati
