The nation was awakened by that deafening shot.

I would like to ask the many Filipino people to pray together, to help each other so that we will be able to preserve the democracy we restored 20 years ago.

You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it.

It is true you cannot eat freedom and you cannot power machinery with democracy. But then neither can political prisoners turn on the light in the cells of a dictatorship.

As I came to power peacefully, so shall I keep it.

I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.

I believe that during these times, we should not forget that many sacrificed to regain our democracy.