Today in Philippine History: Jovito Salonga

JUNE 22, 1920

Jovito “Jovy” Salonga (June 22, 1920), known as “The Nation’s Fiscalizer” was born in Pasig, Rizal. He was a World War II hero, congressman, Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman and consistently topped three senatorial elections in the administrations of Presidents Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos and Cory Aquino. He became senate president before he retired. During the martial law years, he fought the Marcos dictatorship. Salonga is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2007. 

Photo credit: http://www.rmaf.org.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin

JUNE 21, 2005

Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin (August 31, 1928 – June 21, 2005), the charismatic Archbishop of Manila died at the age of 76 due to renal failure. The government through Presidential Proclamation No. 863 gave him a state funeral and a period of national mourning with thousands attending his funeral. Cardinal Sin was instrumental in toppling Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ regime through People Power 1 in 1986 that installed Cory Aquino as president. Again in 2001, he intervened that led to the ouster of Pres. Joseph Estrada and made Gloria Arroyo president.

Photo credit: http://manilacathedral.org/