Senators mourned the passing of former President Benigno Aquino III, who died at the age of 61 due to health reasons early Thursday (June 24) morning.
In separate statements, incumbent senators expressed their grief at the death of the country’s 15th president and former senator, as well as their gratitude for his commitment to public service.
“No matter what political side you’re on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns. His death diminishes us all. Sincerest condolences from the Senate and my family to the family of President Benigno C. Aquino III,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said Aquino “really made his six years as our president count” as he “dedicated his life to the ideals of democracy and the well-being of Filipinos, giving hope and moral courage when the country needed it most.”
“Sa hanay naming women and gender advocates, ang isang mahalagang naipamana ni dating Pangulong Noynoy ay ang pagpasa ng Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law,” she said.
Senator Joel Villanueva, a good friend of Aquino, described the latter as a Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) “godfather” who “believed in the great talents of our youth.”
“PNoy spent his post-presidency in the ways he wanted it to be: A simple man, plain Citizen Noy, a compassionate tito, never missing the perks and the powers he once wielded,” he said.
Senator Grace Poe thanked Aquino for his legacy of serving with honesty and dedication through his public service initiatives, saying that he has shown the value of kindness in leadership.
“Ipinakita sa atin ni PNoy ang kahalagahan ng mabuting kalooban sa isang pinuno: walang pag-iimbot sa kapwa, malinis ang intensyon, at walang pagkagahaman sa kapangyarihan,” she said.
Senator Manny Pacquiao said the late president will be remembered, adding that his “love for the country was manifested in his term of service where he championed the ‘Daang Matuwid’ and the ‘Kayo ang Boss Ko’.”
Senator Imee Marcos described the former chief executive as a “kind and simple soul” who will be “deeply missed.”
‘Heartbreaking’
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the country has lost an “honest man” and “dedicated leader” as they join the country in mourning his untimely passing.
“I have always recognized and respected how committed he was as a public servant. Through his time as congressman, as senator, and eventually as president, he was able to balance the weight of being an Aquino—carrying all the history of the name, and all the expectations that came with it—while also carving a path for himself,” Zubiri said.
“I am thankful for the opportunity of having worked with PNoy during his presidency. He meant well and wanted the best for the country and for all of us,” Drilon said.
According to Senator Panfilo Lacson, the unexpected passing of the president was “heartbreaking,” as he “served his country very well with humility, honor, and integrity.”
“Even as president, he always managed to promptly respond to my messages, no matter how casual and trivial. It was indeed a privilege to have served with him – both in the Senate and the Executive Department, but more than that, to be his friend,” he said.
His partymate Senator Francis Pangilinan said PNoy was a kind person, a great leader.
“Napakasakit na wala na si President Noynoy. What sad, painful, heartbreaking news. Isang karangalan ko ang magsilbi sa sambayanan bilang nakasama at na katrabaho niya sa Senado at muli sa kanyang Gabinete,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator and Philippine Red Cross Chairperson Richard Gordon said the sudden passing of his former colleague saddened him despite political differences.
“President Aquino and I may not have agreed on some issues, but we both have the same dream of making our country great and [we] believe that as a nation, we should assert and defend our sovereignty over what is rightfully ours,” he said. – Report from Eunice Samonte/AG-jlo
