Family, friends, and supporters of the late President Noynoy Aquino marked his third death anniversary with a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City, on Monday, June 24.

Kiko Aquino Dee, a nephew of Aquino, recalled after the Mass the late leader’s principle of “right makes might,” which he said “was often used in the context of our rights over the West Philippine Sea.”

“Rather than submitting to those with greater power, Tito Noy used the justness of the Philippine cause to improve our position, ultimately resulting in the 2016 arbitral ruling that continues to be vital in asserting our rights today,” Dee said.

China has not recognized the ruling of the International Arbitral Tribunal, insisting that it has historical claims to nearly the entire body of water surrounding it and its neighbors in Southeast Asia, including the 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. 

Aquino, the only son of the country’s democracy icons, Ninoy and Cory Aquino, served as the country’s president from 2010 to 2016. He was 61 years old when he died from renal failure on June 24, 2021.

Former Sen. Leila de Lima, along with members of Aquino’s Cabinet, joined the Mass for the first time since his death. She had been detained on trumped-up drug trafficking charges filed against her by the Duterte administration.

De Lima headed to the Muntinlupa regional trial court after the Mass for the promulgation of her final drug case. Hours later, the court granted her petition for demurrer that cleared her of the charge of conspiracy to commit drug trading.

Monday’s Mass was officiated by former Ateneo de Manila University president, Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ, a friend of the late president.

Dee, the deputy executive director of the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, cited several deeds of his uncle that were guided by the “right makes might” principle which, he added, contributed to the country’s growth and development during his term.“ [The slogan] kung walang kurap, walang mahirap’ created an atmosphere of good governance that allowed our economy to flourish beyond his term,” he said. “And if it’s in my place to say, I think the struggle for justice of Senator de Lima is also an example of this.”

Read more: Gov’t urged: Defend, assert territorial integrity in West Philippine Sea