Grief swept the Philippines Saturday as former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the icon of democracy and people power in the Philippines and worldwide, died at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center, ending her valiant struggle against colon cancer. She was 76. The official cause of death was cardio-respiratory arrest, according to Mrs. Aquino's son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. “She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country,” Noynoy told reporters camped at the hospital, reading his family's official statement. Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center in June due to loss of appetite. In Washington DC where she was on a state visit, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed her condolonces with the Aquino family and declared a 10-day period of national mourning. “Today the Philippines lost a national treasure,” Arroyo said. “I am announcing today that we will officially observe a 10-day period of national mourning. Our hearts go out to the family at this hour of grief and sorrow. The nation prays for Cory and her family,” she said. Former President Fidel V. Ramos also expressed grief over the death of his predecessor, saying her death was a loss not only for Filipinos but for the whole world. Ramos took over the presidency when Mrs. Aquino relinquished her post in 1992. “Not only the entire Filipino nation grieves, but the whole world. Cory Aquino represented the past and the future of our people and led in the direction of a better future for our people,” Ramos said. Ramos, together with then defense chief Juan Ponce Enrile, led a military uprising in February 1986 that sparked the Edsa “People Power Revolution” that ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Mrs. Aquino to power. Mrs. Aquino was the widow of opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who was assassinated at the Manila International airport upon returning from exile in 1983. For his part, former president Joseph Estrada said the Philippines lost a mother with the demise of Mrs. Aquino. “Today our country has lost a mother. This is a sad day for the Filipino people,” Estrada said. “President Aquino has not only been an icon of democracy but has stood as the guiding voice of our people since EDSA 1. She was a woman of both strength and graciousness,” he said. The Marcos family, a bitter political rival, also buried the hatchet and joined Filipinos in mourning the death of Mrs. Aquino. “The Marcos family joins Filipinos in mourning former President Corazon Aquino's death,” Ilocos Norte Congressman Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr said in a statement. In a separate statement, former First Lady Imelda Marcos asked Filipinos to “unite and pray for Cory.” US President Barack Obama led the world in expressing sadness over the demise of Mrs. Aquino, Asia's first woman president and the world's democracy icon. “Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent ‘People Power' movement over 20 years ago,” a White House official statement said. “Her courage, determination, moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the national of the Philippines,” the statement said. In Beijing, the Chinese government expressed its sorrow over the death of a democracy icon and a close friend. “The Philippines lost an inspiring statesman while China, in sharp grief, bereaved of a sincere friend,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said. The Canadian government also expressed deep sorrow for the death of the beloved Philippine leader. “President Aquino will be remembered as a leader who ushered a new era of freedom in the Philippines and inspired millions around the world,” the Canadian statement read. Lawmakers recalled the greatness of Mrs. Aquino. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, in a television interview, said that the whole Senate is one with the Aquino family in grieving the death of the former Philippine leader. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he had mixed feelings upon learning Mrs. Aquino's death. Pimentel served as Mrs. Arroyo's interior and local government secretary.”Sad a dear friend has passed away. Glad for the selfless service she rendered to our people. Cory is irreplaceable and her integrity in public service is beyond compare,” Pimentel said. Senator Edgardo Angara describe Mrs. Aquino's death as an “irretrievable loss for the nation.” Senator Manuel Roxas II said Mrs. Aquino's dreams will live on and will never be defeated despite her death. “Tita Cory stood for the unity and reconciliation of our people.” Senator Francis Escudero said Mrs. Aquino's story should forever inspire the present and future generations of Filipinos, and serve as a constant reminder that the Filipino is worth fighting for. Senator Richard Gordon said Mrs. Aquino will always be fondly remembered for the legacy of the peaceful transition of power that brought about change, transformation and a new era of democracy.
