As the nation mourns the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, flags were brought to half-mast Thursday to honor the Philippines’ fifteenth president.
Aquino was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City on Thursday, June 24, but he was later pronounced dead. He passed at the age of 61.
The Aquino’s representative refused to give details on his passing as of this posting, but they said the family will issue an official statement later.
Prior to his death, Noynoy was reportedly undergoing dialysis for at least five months. He was also suffering from diabetes and lung issues. He had also recently undergone a heart operation.
The former president, also known as PNoy, is the eldest child and only son of late senator Ninoy Aquino and late former president Corazon Aquino, who was elected after strongman Ferdinand Marcos was removed from dictatorship by the EDSA People Power Revolution.
The younger Aquino succeeded Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as president in 2010.
Tributes poured in from his peers after the news about his death was announced Thursday morning.
Senate President Sotto said: “No matter what political side you’re on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns. His death diminishes us all. Sincerest condolences from the Senate and my family to the family of President Benigno C. Aquino III.”
Sen. Imee Marcos said: “I will always treasure the memories of our long years together as freshmen legislators and members of a tiny opposition. For beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul.”
Former senator Bam Aquino said: “Sa mga susunod na oras, maraming sasabihin tungkol sa kanya—iba totoo, iba hindi. Pero ito lang ang masasabi ko—lahat binigay niya para sa Pilipino. Wala siyang tinira.”
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Hjayceelyn Quintana said that the former president embodied the spirit of a true servant-leader to the Philippines with positive moral values.
“We will remember President Aquino as a leader who did his utmost to serve the Filipinos and protect his country with dignity, honor, integrity, and above all, humility. He lived as a man for others,” said Amb. Quintana.
During PNoy’s presidency, the Philippines achieved a good investment grade rating as a result of strong business confidence in the country, owing to his administration’s fight against corruption.
It was also during his term when the country achieved its victory in the Hague international court over its territorial dispute with China on the West Philippine Sea issue.
He was also instrumental in saving Mary Jane Veloso, an overseas Filipino worker, from death row in Indonesia.
His administration, however, was marred by a lack of empathy for the 44 Filipino soldiers who died in the Mamasapano clash. Codenamed ‘Oplan Exodus’, the military operation was launched to capture wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli Abdhir and other Malaysian terrorists linked to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
Oplan Exodus was considered to be the worst mishandled crisis during his term, causing the biggest decline in his public opinion ratings.
