Introduction to Former Philippine President Corazon C.

Aquino
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino presided over her countrys difficult transition from
dictatorship to democracy as President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1986
to 1992. During her term, she re-established democratic institutions which brought
about substantive economic and social reforms. Through her determined dedication
to democracy and commitment to non-violence, she was able to finish her term with
the orderly transfer of power to her successor, President Fidel V. Ramos, following
the first real presidential elections in the Philippines in 23 years.
As a citizen, Cory Aquino continued her lifes mission of defending and strengthening
Philippine Democracy. She has aso persued her crusade in rebuilding the democratic
foundation of Philippine Society. Time and again she has provided leadership in
various crises especially when all hopes seemed lost. She has led People Power to
thwart attempts of succeeding administrations to tamper with the Philippine
Constitution regarding provisions that meant extending the Presidents term in office.
She has done this twice in the Edsa Revolution of 1986 and more recently in
People Power II last January.
Cory Aquino was named Time Magazines Woman of the Year for 1986. In addition,
she has received numerous awards and distinctions including the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Non-Violent Peace Prize. Her more recent awards include the prestigious Ramon
Magsaysay Award for International Understanding and the Pearl Buck Award given by
the Randolph Macon Womans College, both in 1998. In August of 1999, Time
Magazine once again bestowed honor on Mrs. Aquino by naming her as one of the 20
Most Influential Asians of the Century. She shares the honor with other respected
Asian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.
At present, Cory Aquino serves as Chairperson of the Aquino Foundation. Organized
in 1983, the Aquino Foundation was initially involved in sponsoring scholarships for
poor and deserving students. In 1993, the foundation established the Institute for
People Power and Development (IPPD) a research and training institute devoted to
the institutionalization of People Power in critical aspects of Philippine Society. In its
early years, IPPD sought to strengthen people power in the area of economic
development and poverty alleviation. Concretely, the institute engaged in various
research projects to better understand the needs of the Philippine Cooperative
movement. The institute complemented its studies with business management
training programs for the leaders and managers of various cooperative enterprises.
To date, the IPPD is in the process of expanding its involvement. People Power
building will also be initiated in the field of Leadership and Governance, Peace and
Conflict Resolution.
Cory Aquino is co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders together with Dr.
Kim Dae-Jung of Korea, former President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica and Sonja Gandhi
of India. On December 2, 1994, she read the paper of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma
before the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Seoul, Korea.
Friends, it is my honor to introduce, Corazon Aquino, Former President of the
Republic of the Philippines, and inspirational leader of the Philippines Peoples Power.