MANILA – The 15th President of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, passed away on Thursday morning due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. He was 61.
He “died peacefully in his sleep” at around 6:30 a.m., according to Aquino’s sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada.
The former President was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center beforehand, but could not be revived.
“I am confirming that our brother died peacefully in his sleep. His death certificate lists renal disease secondary to diabetes as his cause of death,” Aquino-Abellada said in a presser at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.
A known chain-smoker, Aquino’s health had been a point of concern even after his term. Sometime
in 2019, he was hospitalized for a week after a scheduled checkup and routine procedure.
Aquino-Abellada added that his brother had been in and out of the hospital recently, but despite his condition he bravely faced investigations against him in various courts.
“When you serve with honesty and dignity, hindi ka matatakot magsabi ng totoo,” Aquino-Abellada said. “Mission accomplished ka, ‘Noy. Be happy now with mom and dad.”
POLITICAL ROOTS
Aquino, or “PNoy”, as he was fondly called, was a scion of a famed political family; he was the third of the five children of democracy icons former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino and assassinated opposition senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
His father’s assassination in 1983 at the Manila International Airport’s tarmac led to huge protests against the strongman rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Pro-democracy protests culminated on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) “People Power” revolt in 1986, where his mother played a key role. The bloodless uprising ousted Marcos and swept the matriarch into power.
Aquino was voted as the country’s 15th president during the May 2010 national elections following the death of his mother to colon cancer in 2009.
Prior to his presidency, Noynoy served as a senator for six years, and a congressman representing his Tarlac constituency from 1998 to 2007.
PRESIDENCY
During his six-year presidential term, Noynoy championed economic reforms and worked to curb corruption, with the aim to end poverty in the country.
In his term, the Philippines was hailed as the fastest-growing economy in Asia. The country’s economy grew by an average of 6.2 percent, the fastest streak since 1978.
Aquino also became famous for his inaugural address where he called the Filipinos as his bosses, assuring them he would lead “a government that serves the people”.
Aquino also strictly enforced a “no wang wang” rule on government officials using sirens in their vehicles to get ahead of traffic jams.
It was also during Aquino’s time when the country filed a case challenging China’s nine-dash line maritime claims in the South China Sea before an international tribunal in The Hague.
The landmark decision on the case, which invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claim to almost the entire South China Sea, came weeks after incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016.
During Aquino’s term, government officials and Muslim rebel leaders signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which aimed at ending a long-running insurgency in Mindanao.
But while there were achievements, Aquino’s presidency was also marred by controversies, including his alleged negligence during the Manila hostage crisis that led to the deaths of eight tourists from Hong Kong.
The Aquino administration also drew flak for its slow response in the aftermath of super typhoon “Yolanda” in November 2013 that killed at least 6,000 people, and also evading responsibility for the deaths of 44 Special Action Forces in the Mamasapano massacre.
DU30 ORDERS NATIONAL MOURNING
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared June 24 to July 3, 2021 as a “period of national mourning”.
Under Proclamation No. 1169, the Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset at all government buildings and installations.
“I join the entire nation in mourning the passing of former President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Duterte said in a statement released on Thursday evening.
“I express my deepest sympathies to his siblings, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris, as well as to all his loved ones, friends and supporters in this period of sadness. May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is now in a better place with his Creator,” he added.
The President pressed for unity as he underscored Aquino’s service to Filipinos.
“Let us all take this opportunity to unite in prayer and set aside our differences as we pay respects to a leader who has given his best to serve the Filipino people,” Duterte said.
“His memory and his family’s legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts,” he continued.
After stepping down from the presidency in 2016, Aquino kept a low profile, remaining a bachelor and living in his parent’s home on Times Street, Quezon City.
Malacañang has condoled with the bereaved Aquino family.
“We commiserate and condole with the family and loved ones of former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as we extend our condolences on his untimely demise,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in his virtual presser on Thursday.
“We’re grateful for the former president for his contribution and services to the country and we ask our people to offer a prayer for the eternal repose of the former chief executive. Rest in peace, Mr. President,” he added.
Vice President Leni Robredo said she was disheartened with Aquino’s sudden passing, and hailed the former president for doing “what is right”, even if it is “unpopular”.
“Nakakadurog ng puso ang balitang wala na si PNoy. Mabuti siyang kaibigan at tapat na Pangulo,” the Vice President wrote on her Twitter account on Thursday morning.
“Tahimik at walang pagod siyang nagtrabaho para makatulong sa marami. He will be missed. Nakikiramay ako sa kanyang pamilya,” she added./PN
