Corazon Aquino

María Corazón Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino (born January 25, 1933), widely known as Cory Aquino, was President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the wife of the popular opposition senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and when he was assassinated at then Manila International Airport on his return from exile on August 21, 1983, Cory Aquino became the focus of the opposition to the autocratic rule of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Post-presidency

Following the end of her term, Aquino retired to private life. When she rode away from the inauguration of her successor, she chose to go in a simple white Toyota Crown she had purchased (rather than the government-issue Mercedes), to make the point that she was once again an ordinary citizen. She has directed a number of projects that aim at furthering the spread of democracy in Asia.

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In 2002, Aquino received an honorary doctorate from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Related Topics:
2002 - University of Washington - Seattle

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In early September 2005, Aquino joined forces with the opposition and such personalities like Eddie Villanueva, the former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman and actress Susan Roces (widow of the late Fernando Poe, Jr.), in a joint effort to rally support pushing for the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

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It is no surprise that the former president joined the pro-impeachment group since she openly called on Arroyo to resign (July 2005).

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