Tributes immediately poured in after news broke out this morning that former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has passed away.
FORMER President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III died this morning at the Capitol Medical Center due to multiple organ failure. He was 61.
The death of the country’s 15th President was confirmed by SC Associate Justice Marvic Leonen on his online post.
Aquino, was the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.
Aquino was elected the 15th president of the Philippines on June 30, 2010, succeeding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He mounted his candidacy shortly after the death of his mother in 2009 as Liberal Party’s presidential candidate.
He had been under medication for various illnesses for quite sometime prior to his passing.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Leonen expressed his profound sadness on hearing of the passing of Aquino, whom he described as a “kind man, driven by his passion to serve our people, diligent in his duties and with an avid and consuming curiosity about new knowledge and the world in general.”
“I have learned a lot from him. I saw him carry his title with dignity and integrity. It was an honor to have served with him. He will be missed.”
A GRIEVING FRIEND BADES PNOY FAREWELL. Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (center) rushes past news crews as he exited the Capitol Medical Center, where former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino passed away Thursday morning (June 24). Although Roxas, who ran alongside Noynoy as vice-president in 2010, refused to speak to media at the site, his action showed a man grieving at the loss of a close friend and associate. (DANNY QUERUBIN)
Some journalists who closely observed his presidency posted sad notes on Facebook.
Monsi Serrano said “Rest in Peace PNoy. I may not agree with some of your policies but I respect you because you’re not corrupt and made our economy strong.”
Another netizen posted a photo of PNoy from RTVM as noon of June 30, 2016 soon after finishing his 6-year term in his Palace office and captioned it: “I’m no fan of the Aquinos but I kept this set of pictures taken by my friend Gil Nareta, as it illustrates how lonely it is when you’re on top and was no longer relevant. May President Noy’s soul rest in peace.”
Carolyn Esposo, who once served in PNoy’s bureaucracy, said “you lived at a time when good men are vilified. I know you are happy now in the company of the nation’s great men and women that the wicked and greedy among us had also chosen to demonize.”
Erick Reyes, a business executive, condoled with the family and said: “like any other president, he had his faults and missed opportunities but he will always be known for his kindness, incorruptibility and lack of interest in sustaining his political power.”
He also governed in a period marked by growth, personal decency and respect by the international community.”
Alex Vergara of the Manila Bulletin said “your presidency was far from perfect (no presidency is) but it was anchored on decency, transparency and the values that we hold dear as a democracy. Discourse was high-minded, yet you managed to relate to ordinary people not with bombast and crude jokes but with your sincerity, folksy charm and firm grasp of the Filipino language. Even the economy was flying high, enabling common folks to hope and dream big of better days ahead. Rest in peace Mr. President, under your watch you had made this country proud and decent once more.”
Aquino was the fourth youngest president after Emilio Aguinaldo, Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos.
Tags: #obituary, #NoynoyAquino, #democracy