1.

My first impression about text was that it is written by a man who was ready to face death, a
man who was willing to sacrifice his life in order to redeem the lost sense of freedom and human
rights.
2. The document is a speech.

Looking more closely

a.
1. Habeas Corpus
2. Insolent tyranny
3. Political Asylum
4. Presidential Commitment Order
5. Cadre
6. Subversion
7. bypass
8. Bedevil
9. Surmounted
10. Disputants

b. The date indicated is August 21, 1983; it was the day Benigno Aquino Jr returned to the
Philippines. Regarding the when it was written, there was no date mentioned.
c. It wasn’t directly mentioned where the location was but the clue is “I have returned”. It means
that Benigno Aquino Jr. was not in the USA anymore. He was already in the Philippines.
d. The author of the speech was Benigno Aquino Jr. himself. The author was speaking in the first
person. He was using pronouns such as I and me.
e. The speech was addressed for the author’s political enemies. He was justifying his innocence
to their accusations. He was also justifying his efforts to support for the supremacy of human
rights against injustices.
f. The purpose of the speech was two-fold. First, it was written to urge the government at that
time to stop human rights violence and to adhere to the basic principles of 1935 constitution.
Secondly, it was written to urge Filipino people to do a non-violent protest against human rights
violations.

II. Think further

A. The most important message the author wanted to convey was the restoration of freedom,
justice and equality. Moreover, he wanted the Filipino people to know that unity is only possible
if these values are upheld.
B. For me, point of view of the author was subjective. He was defending himself against his
accusers without laying out the accusations and its evidences.
C. The relationship of the author and the audience is a relationship of opposition. He was saying
that he is innocent of the sedition accusation. He justified his protest by saying that the
government is doing human rights violence.
III.

The temporal background of the speech can be traced back in the Ferdinand Marcos
regime. He was instrumental of the change in the constitution as well as Martial Law. During
those times, there was an insurrection. This is one of the reasons why the military government
was enabled. However, this has resulted to a significant number of deaths and human rights
violations. Violence was apparent during those times. Ferdinand Marcos remained the most
powerful Filipino for the time being. On the other hand, the Filipino people looked at Benigno
Aquino Jr. as their messiah, their political savior. This was probably the reason why a sedition
case was filed against him. He has a heart ailment and need a bypass operation. The government
for some reason has allowed him to have his operation in the USA. Upon his return to face the
government and its accusations, he was assassinated. Until today, his case remains a mystery.
His death however has given strength to the Filipino people to fight against tyranny. In 1987, the
Filipino people marched in EDSA towards the palace and enforced the people ousting of the
dictator. To protect and restore human rights, the 1987 constitution was ratified. It was a
testament that there is nothing permanent in the world. Truth, justice, and freedom always
prevail.