(L to R) Former presidents Joseph Estrada, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Joseph Estrada mourned Thursday the death of another former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, also known as PNoy.
Macapagal-Arroyo said that aside from Aquino’s own achievements, he will also be remembered as part of the Aquino family that “has contributed three important people to the history of our nation.”
“My family and I join the Filipino people in prayers and sympathy on the passing of former President Benigno Aquino III,” Macapagal-Arroyo said in a statement.
“Aside from his own achievements, he will be remembered as part of the Aquino family that has contributed three important people to the history of our nation, Senator Ninoy Aquino and our 11th and 15th presidents, Cory and Noynoy Aquino,” she added.
Estrada, meanwhile, said he was saddened by Aquino’s passing and offered prayers to the Aquino family.
“My sincere condolences to the Aquino family. Sa pagkakataong ito, ang aking tanging dasal ay bigyan kayo ng Diyos ng lakas ng loob. Paalam, PNoy!” Estrada 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.
Estrada was the 13th president of the country, followed by Macapagal-Arroyo and Aquino.