The family of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has nothing but gratitude to all those who supported him during his presidency until he returned to being a private citizen. In a statement, Aquino’s sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada confirmed that the former President has been in and out of the hospital even before the pandemic.
First, the family thanked all his doctors and whole medical team who took care of him.
“Naramdaman namin bilang mga kapatid nya, that they did everything to make him comfortable, they became compassionate friends who gave him true respect by valuing and protecting his privacy,” Aquino-Abellada said. She also thanked all of his brother’s real friends who never fail to visit him, text him, sent him food and protect him.
The family’s gratitude also goes to all nuns and priests who are close to their family and tirelessly prayed for his recovery. “Sa ‘fropa’ nya, kay Ivy, at siguro ang numero uno sa listahan si YOLLY na 30 years syang inalagaan- lahat ng kasama nya sa Times Street na mula nung pandemic bihirang nag off dahil alam na delikado para sa kanya, SALAMAT,” Aquino-Abellada added.
Aquino’s sister also thanked the residents of second district of Tarlac who elected him in 1998, as he started his political career. Moreover, the family also did not forget to also thank the 14.3 million Filipinos who in 2007 voted for him to become Senator, and the 15.2 million Filipinos who trusted him in 2010 and gave the biggest honor – being the 15th President of the Philippines.
“Habang buhay naming tatanawin na utang na loob ‘yung naibigay nyo sa aming kapatid. Maraming salamat,” Aquino-Abellada said. Aquino-Abellada confirmed that his brother died peacefully in his sleep. His death certificate pronounced his death at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.
“No words can express how broken our hearts are and how long it will take for us to accept the REALITY that he is gone. Mission accomplished, ‘Noy. Be happy now with Dad and Mom. We love you and we are so blessed to have had the privilege to have had you as our brother. We’ll miss you forever, 3,” the statement read.
HINDI MAINGAY, TRABAHONG GALING SA PUSO
Aquino’s passing was likened to the way he served the Filipino people, silent but straight from the heart.
“Kagaya ng serbisyong binigay nya sa BAYAN- HINDI MAINGAY, TRABAHONG GALING SA PUSO- dahil alam nya-kayo ang BOSS nya… kaya nga nakilala sya bilang si PNoy-dahil ayaw nyang maramdaman na dapat syang bigyan ng kakaibang pansin.
Hangarin nyang hindi mapahiya sa inyo dahil sa paghikayat na mahirap man pero TAMA NA SUNDIN ANG DAANG MATUWID- nagawa nya ang lahat ng yon,” the family’s statement read. Aquino-Abellada also lamented that it pained them that their brother silently accepted all the criticisms.
“Natatak sa aming mga magkakapatid na nung sinabihan namin syang magsalita at labanan ang mga maling haka haka, simple ang sinagot nya – kaya pa nyang matulog sa gabi,” she recalled.
The Aquino sister further recalled how his brother faced all the investigations and accusations such as in the Sandiganbayan in November 2017, Senado in December 2017, and the Congress in February 2018.
“Because when you enter public service, when you serve with honesty and dignity, and you know you have committed no crimes against the people, HINDI KA MATATAKOT MAGSABI NG TOTOO,” Aquino-Abellada added./PN
