The grandchildren of the late President Cory Aquino and former Senator Ninoy Aquino are not keen on joining the world of politics.
In an interview on the show “PolitiSkoop,” Kiko Aquino Dee, one of the Aquino grandkids, shared their perspective on opting out of political limelight after witnessing the challenges and risks associated with it.
“So sa tingin ko po na yun yung landas na sinusundan namin parang none of us are interested in electoral politics anymore because parang we saw the difficulties, the immense difficulties that it brought to lolo Ninoy especially to Tito Noy and Lola Cory,” he said.
Although the Aquino grandkids have chosen not to follow in their grandparents’ footsteps, Kiko highlighted how their family remains committed to serving the nation with their Lola Cory as their role model.
“I think parang- pinaka ehemplo talaga namin si Lola Cory. Parang nung natapos na ang panunungkulan niya as president wala naman siyang- she could have- pero wala naman siyang hinabol na ibang electoral position,” he said.
Lola Cory Aquino taught us to be citizens, not politikos – Kiko Aquino Dee
According to Kiko, the former president did not seek roles after her term, but remained vocal on government policies and issues. “Whenever may ginawa yung gobyerno na hindi maganda in her view, she would be out there, she would speak, she would speak out,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Kiko said their grandmother Cory serves as a source of inspiration to continue fighting for democracy and justice.
“Parang it such a daunting task pero yung parang consolation namin dun is Lola showed us the way. And I think that’s – hindi lang para sa amin ‘yun. Parang sinasabi na the Lola is the icon – the mother of democracy icon and I think ang pinapakita niya is democracy is – oo parang listening to the will of the majority parang hindi po pwedeng balewalain ang majority,” Kiko said.
Kiko stressed that active participation from citizens is crucial for democracy.
“But at the same time hindi pwede na ‘yung nagdidisagree mananahimik lang in a democracy kasi paano mabubuo yung will of the people kung yung iba’t-ibang mga pananaw ay mananahimik,” he said.
Kiko pointed out there is still a “middle ground” to contribute to nation building without entering politics.
“So I think that’s sort of where what we want to do now. How do we de-active democratic citizens outside of politics kasi panget naman parang either politiko ka na buong- parang 24/7 ‘yun ang iniisip mo or botante ka na once every 3 years or 6 years mo lang iniisip. Baka there’s a middle ground na we can be active, we can be contribute to nation building kahit wala tayo doon sa panunungkulan,” he said.
