MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said no one holds a "monopoly" on heroism as he clarified that it was not his intention to compare himself with the late senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
Cayetano made the remark after some groups associated with Aquino, including the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) slammed him for comparing his struggles in the Senate "to that of the fight of Senator Ninoy Aquino against the Marcos Sr. dictatorship."
ATOM also criticized Cayetano for flashing the "L" or "Laban" (fight) sign in his video message, a trademark hand gesture associated with Aquino's widow, Corazon, who took power after president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. fled the country in 1986.
"So let me be clear about Ninoy. No family holds a monopoly on his name, because no one holds a monopoly on heroism. Heroism is not inherited; it is earned," Cayetano wrote on Facebook Saturday.
"I am proud of what they did and what they sacrificed. I do not compare myself, or our group, to them — but I do identify with what they fought for," he said.
Cayetano said the 1986 People Power revolution itself proved as much. "It was not the triumph of a single family, but of ordinary Filipinos who decided that truth mattered more than fear. The revolution is unfinished. Who will fight for the truth?"
The senator said he and his allies in the "old" majority bloc are determined to uncover the truth behind the mastermind of the flood control fund scandal.
"Some now ask who has the right to invoke Ninoy’s name. With respect, that is the wrong question. We do not claim to be him, and we do not compare ourselves to his heroism," Cayetano added.
In a statement, ATOM reminded Cayetano that "Ninoy fought against fascism, corruption, and lack of accountability, qualities which are evident among their camp's patrons."
"We remain consistent with our call to Cayetano: Resign now! You have become a disgrace not only to the Senate but to the whole country as well, with your antics reaching the international community," the group said.
