All flags in public installations in the country will be flown at half-staff from June 24 to July 3, as the country mourns the death of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
ENCOURAGING the whole country to pay its tribute and respect to his predecessor former President Benigno”Noynoy” Aquino III who passed away Thursday morning, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared June 24 to July 3 a "Period of National Mourning".
“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed today Proclamation No. 1169, declaring June 24, 2021 to July 3, 2021 as a Period of National Mourning over the passing of former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement on Thursday night (June 24).
(See also: Mission accomplished! Noynoy's sisters confirm death )
Under the Period of National Mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad for a period of 10 days.
HALF-STAFF FLAG FOR NOYNOY. A security guard passes by the Pasay City Hall with the flag flying at half-staff as tribute to former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who passed away Thursday (June 24). President Rodrigo Duterte had ordered all flags in government institutions to be flown at half-mast from June 24 to July 3 as part of a ten-day "Special Period of Mourning" for the late President. (RAFAEL TABOY)
He also encouraged the public to pay tribute to the former president for his contributions to the country.
“Let us continue to pray and pay respects to the former President who gave his best to serve our nation and our people,” he said.
Saddened
In a speech at Malacañang Palace, Duterte said he was saddened by the passing of his predecessor.
“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of the former president Benigno S. Aquino III this morning,” he said.
Duterte thanked him for his service to the country and expressed hope that Filipinos would be “inspired” by his legacy.
He assured Noynoy’s family that the national government will provide assistance apart from “love and prayers.”
Prayers for Noynoy
Duterte, in an official statement, also urged the public to set differences aside and offered prayers for the repose of the former president’s soul.
“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,” he said.
Half-staff
Prior to the proclamation, national flags in several areas in the country were lowered in half-staff to honor the former president.
At the Malacañang Palace, national flags were lowered at around 1:00 p.m.
The Aquino family said the remains of the former president have been cremated at the Heritage Park in Taguig.
A mass will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University on Friday (June 25) while his burial will be on June 26 at the Manila Memorial Park beside his parents, former president Cory Aquino and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
Roque had earlier said the former President is entitled to a burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. (ONT/with report from PNA)
Tags: #NoynoyAquino, #tributes, #PeriodOfNationalMourning