Corazon Aquino

I cannot afford to be distant from my people because whatever power I have came from them. And I have to know what I am doing right and what I am doing wrong. If I just sit around here, I will never find out.

Because of the restoration of democracy, and because the great majority of the Filipino people really believe in the democratic way, the left -- the extreme left -- have really lost their following.

I have indicated also that it is the express wish of the Filipino people that Mr Marcos not return to this country because it will again incite so many of these people against Mr Marcos.

Since he got away with most of the country's money, it is so easy for him to be financing all of these so-called demonstrators.

Once again, I must involve myself in what I hoped and prayed to be spared from, after devoting the best years of my life in the service of the country, and at a price that included the highest anyone can pay.

To an immoral government belongs a demoralized people.

That sacrifice must be made by the president as soon as possible. I told her this personally when we met last night.

I just do whatever it is that I believe I should do, regardless of the risks to my life.

From time immemorial, I have not said anything that would command universal acceptance. But I believe so long as I do what I believe is right, so long as I say what I believe is right for our country, then I will just accept whatever flack, whatever ugly things they will say about me.

I apologized to former President Joseph Estrada for the role I played in his ouster in 2001.

It's very simple, I just tell my sad story, and people weep.

The government cannot do everything all at once. It can't wave a magic wand and meet everyone's demands simultaneously.

The question you all really want to ask is Can she hack it? Isn't she weak?

Henceforth, I shall rule directly as President. To the ad hoc committees and commissions created to inform me on their special areas, I add one more: an action committee of one member — me.

Am I also expected to take up an M-16 and do it myself?

They fought me, I fought back. Surrender would have been neater, but it is not in me to yield.

The honeymoon is over, isn't it? But I am not sorry. The sooner we get over the fantasy of the honeymoon and face the hard work of marriage — the marriage of President and nation — the better.

It is not I who have been consigned to the bedroom of history...

I am not a politician. I am just a plain housewife.

Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.