Aquino named Woman of Year

Press, 29 December 1986, Page 9

Aquino named Woman of Year

NZPA-Reuter New York The Philippines President, Corazon Aquino, has been named Woman of the Year by “Time” magazine for what the publication termed determination and courage in leading her country back to democracy. “Time” said Mrs Aquino, aged 53, who took office last February when Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a near-bloodless popular revolt, had been chosen by its editors as the person who most influenced world events in 1986.

“Mrs Aquino has already given her country a bright, and inviolate, memory,” the magazine said. “More important, she has also resuscitated its sense of identity and pride.” Mrs Aquino, who is regarded as the true victor in fraudulent presidential elections at the beginning of the year, is the third woman to be singled out by “Time” for its annual distinction. She said in an interview with the magazine that what she hoped for most was the chance for Filipinos to live in peace and have decent lives. “I always say that my first priority is to generate enough jobs for the unemployed,” she said. “If I can just come closer to that goal, I think maybe I will have done my job.” She described her most important achievement as the confidence and hope Filipinos had that things would change for the better. Mrs Aquino, who rose to prominence after the assassination of her husband, Benigno, at Manila airport in 1983, did not rule out running for President again when her present six-year term ends. “But I am sure that six years from now, there will be many qualified people, and I will have earned a well-deserved rest.” Others considered by “Time” as candidates for the title included the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev; black South African ’opposition leaders, Nelson and Winnie Mandela; , and Marine Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver North, who was fired from the National Security Council last month for his role in the Iran arms sales scandal.