Upon learning of the death of former President Corazon Aquino in the early morning of August 1, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared a ten-day period of national mourning.
“Today, the Philippines lost a national treasure,” President Arroyo said. Arroyo added that the former President helped lead a revolution that restores democracy and the rule of law to the nation at a time of great peril.
A separate statement which was issued by Malacanang stated, thus:
“Former President Cory has been the country’s icon of democracy. She has restored democracy and continually defended it during her rule from those who challenge the hope that was brought about by the Edsa 1 people power. President Aquino was also the inspiration of so many nations around the world that aspired for a government that is free from tyranny and from the bondage of dictatorship. We are one with the entire Filipino nation in prayer and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the late president Cory Aquino.”
Her legacy was the restoration of democracy and its institutions in the country when she led a bloodless, military-backed people power revolt in 1986 that toppled the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Former President Aquino, 76, died at 3:18 a.m. of cardio-respiratory arrest. She was battling colon cancer for about two years. The Former President Cory was confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month due to loss of appetite. (PIA)