MANILA, Philippines — Leaders and members of the House of Representatives mourned the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who is dubbed by some as a “man of integrity.”
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said Aquino was a “man of integrity” and “a Filipino leader who made it his primary mission to institutionalize good governance reforms.”
“I join the nation in mourning the passing of former President Noynoy Aquino. The news of his death was a shock to all of us,” Romualdez said.
“We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones. May you find peace in knowing that he is now back to the loving embrace of our Father. Rest now former President Aquino,” he added.
Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman, meanwhile, remembered Aquino as someone who never changed despite being elected as the president of the country in 2010.
“Labis naming ikinalulungkot ang pagpanaw ni dating Pangulong PNoy. Hindi lang tayo nawalan ng isang haligi ng ating bansa, nawalan din tayo ng matapat at mabuting kaibigan,” Hataman said.
“At kahit na nung naging Pangulo siya noong 2010, hindi nagbago ang kanyang personalidad: simple, walang ere, magaan kasama, laging andiyan pag kailangan mo, at laging handang tumulong sayo. Barkada, ika nga,” he added.
Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor, who was Aquino’s colleague in the 11th Congress, said that while their lives are “enmeshed in politics and there may have been differences at certain periods of time”, they have remained good friends throughout the years.
“He is too young to die and today is a day of mourning. May he rest in peace,” Defensor said.
Passed landmark laws
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman honored Aquino by highlighting some of the landmark legislations passed during his term from 2010 to 2016.
This includes the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, and the Centenarians Act of 2016.
“President Noynoy Aquino put aside partisanship when he endorsed and approved the foregoing laws notwithstanding the fact that I was their principal author representing the opposition,” Lagman said.
Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, meanwhile, said Aquino made sure that the transition to the administration of President Rodrigo was orderly and constitutional.
“Though he was regarded as in the political opposition after he stepped down from the presidency, he lived a largely quiet life after Malacanang, spent mostly with family and close friends,” Garbin said.
Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Lawrence Fortun reminded the public that Aquino’s passing is not an occasion for partisan matters or political divide.
“Let this be a moment of reflection, and also, a celebration of a life well-lived. Like all presidents duly elected in free and democratic elections, he was president of the entire Filipino nation,” Fortun said.
Aquino died at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. He served as the country’s 15th president from 2010 to 2016.