In the midst of renewed political tensions between supporters of the Duterte and Marcos camps, the name of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. has once again surfaced—drawing strong reactions from many, including members of his own family.

Following controversial statements made online, allegedly connecting Ninoy’s role in Philippine history to current political discourse, sources close to Kris Aquino said the family is choosing to stand by the facts and not be dragged into political mudslinging.

“Ninoy Aquino’s legacy is built on truth, sacrifice, and democracy. We will not allow it to be distorted for political convenience,” a family member reportedly stated.

Kris Aquino, who has remained largely private due to her ongoing health battle, has not issued a direct comment, but her family emphasizes that they hope Filipinos can focus on unity and facts, rather than historical revisionism or divisive narratives.

This comes amid increasing online arguments between opposing camps, with public figures being dragged into conversations they never initiated. Political analysts warn that misinformation and emotionally charged discourse continue to distort public perception — urging the public to seek reliable sources and maintain critical thinking.

Kris Aquino remembers late father Ninoy Aquino on his 84th birthday
Kris Aquino: “My Dad was brilliant & had a photographic memory.”
The Aquino family celebrated the birthday of late senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Sr. yesterday, November 27.

This would have been the 84th birthday of the considered hero of the Philippines.

As the youngest of the Aquino family, Kris Aquino recalled the time she and her father spent together in Boston, Massachusetts, where Ninoy was exiled for his resistance to the dictatorial regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

According to Kris, she only got to know her father fully for about three years.

She also recalled his advice to read various types of literature to be prepared to face the world.

Ninoy was assassinated on the tarmac of the former Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983, when he returned to the Philippines after several years in exile in America.

Because of this incident, the airport was renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Here’s Kris’ full post:

“I got to know my Dad as a FATHER from May 1980 to August 1983. When he was jailed during Martial Law I was only 1 year & 7 months old. Those Boston years w/ him were SPECIAL- my Dad was brilliant & had a photographic memory.

“Our bonding would be while watching the evening news, him quizzing me about what I read in Time & Newsweek, us watching 60 Minutes and CNN, and every month on a Friday we’d have a Dad & youngest date, we’d go to Barnes & Noble and I could buy all the books & magazines I wanted for as long as I finished reading them w/in that month & then we’d have ice cream…

“I read voraciously- but you can see I lean towards fiction featuring lawyers & detectives, my magazines are about business, entertainment, and fashion, while my newspapers & online reading are political.

“Because my Dad said- in any work I’ll enter being well read, well informed, and well prepared will help me get ahead of the pack. “It is said to fight for depth & breadth of knowledge, the courage to speak & stand by the truth, and most of all the ability to convey your message w/ impact in a way that will make people listen, think, and react. ????#November271932August211983 (My Dad died at 50 years old, just 5 years older than me now.)”