Late President Noynoy Aquino a ‘statesman, visionary,’ says ex-Pampanga gov

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Prominent figures in Pampanga province paid tribute to the late president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who died Thursday morning.

Former Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio described Aquino as a “statesman, a leader and a visionary who made us prouder as a nation in our global community.”

Panlilio said Aquino’s “contributions to our beloved land have been invaluable and will always be remembered by our grateful people.”

From Rene Romero, immediate past president and current director of Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Aquino elevated the leadership quality of his administration by championing good governance at the start of his term, highlighted by his “Bawal ang Wang-Wang,” and “Kayo ang Boss Ko” phrases.

“His Presidency’s focus on the reduction, if not entire elimination of graft and corruption in government improved global impression and raised the level of confidence on the economic development of the Philippines, which was subsequently affirmed by the successive upgrades in the country’s credit rating by international agencies,” Romero said in a statement.

Maureen Gepte Castro, 1986 Edsa People’s Power volunteer, said: “No matter how much Pnoy was demonized by this administration and its trolls, the fact remains—he was one of the best presidents this country ever had.”

Aquino served as the country’s 15th president from 2010 to 2016. He was 61.

LZB