ASEANews HEADLINES: MANILA Philippines-TRIBUTE: BENIGNO AQUINO III: Mission accomplished, Noy’: PH grieves for ‘man of honor’
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
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MANILA, Philippines — Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died in his sleep at 6.30 a.m. on Thursday, almost five years after reclaiming his privacy at the end of his term in 2016.
His four sisters, heartbroken, confirmed his passing past 3 p.m. at The Chapels of Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City, where his remains had been taken for cremation. “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,” they said in a statement read by Pinky Aquino Abellada.
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Expressions of grief and admiration came as swiftly as news of Aquino’s death swept the country.
Vice President Leni Robredo, who now leads the opposition Liberal Party that has been closely linked to the Aquino family name, said she was “deeply heartbroken” and remembered him as “a man of integrity and honor.”
Robredo said Aquino’s greatest legacy was “helping dismantle long-entrenched systems of corruption and standing up for the country on the international stage.”
In Malacañang, President Duterte said it was with “profound” sadness that he learned of Aquino’s passing.
“I hope my fellow Filipinos will be inspired by his legacy,” Duterte said.
He said he was offering the bereaved family “heartfelt condolences” as well as “the government’s assistance during this period of mourning” and, above all, “the love and prayers of a grateful nation.”
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