The nation was awakened by that deafening shot.

There is much that women can bring into politics that would make our world a kinder, gentler place for humanity to thrive in.

As our country bled . . . its leader's wife came to this podium piously to call for a new human order, this when thousands of Filipinos were political prisoners.

Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn't be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.

It's not just in politics that you can be a servant of the people, you can do it in so many other ways.

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.

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