11/02/2026
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟโ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ 40 ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
The late Governor, Evelio B. Javier, is one of the youngest governors of the province of Antique, but above all, he is also known as one of the important figures who changed the Philippines history.
Governor Javier is a reformist politician who is driven by justice, integrity, and his desire to empower the poor. During Marcos Sr.'s regime of Martial Law, Javier was never afraid of the dictatorโs wrath, he used his voice to speak up against how dangerous the current situation was and fully supported democracy for the nation.
During the 1986 snap election, as the local campaign manager of Corazon Aquino, he publicly and fearlessly exposed the fraud and cheating that was happening in the provincial capitol. This act of defiance cost him his life as he was publicly assassinated on February 11, 1986.
In broad daylight, Gov. Javier was brutally murdered by gunshots, and it was reported that he suffered at least 24 gunshot wounds. However, his death was not in vain, it ignited the fire for the People Power Revolution that began days later, which overthrew Marcos' dictatorship and restored democracy in the Philippines.
Later on, President Corazon C. Aquino signed the Republic Act No. 7601 on June 3, 1992, an act declaring February 11 of each year a Governor Evelio B. Javier day, a special nonworking public holiday for the provinces of Antique, Aklan, Capiz, and Iloilo.
And today, we commemorate the 40th death anniversary of Gov. Evelio B Javier. We remember that through his sacrifices, courage, and life, we are experiencing freedom and democracy. He left a legacy for us to embody: a nation that is free from oppression and corruption, leaders who speak up in times of crisis, leaders who are truly genuine in serving their people, and leaders who fight for injustices.
His legacy is not just a memory for us to remember, but a duty. May we live up to it.
Written by: Paula Rose Alejan
Pubmat by : Angel Dondon & Jade Andrea Jamandron
