FILE PHOTO: This photo taken on June 30, 2016, shows then newly-elected President Rodrigo Duterte (L) and outgoing President Benigno S. Aquino III during the turnover of leadership in Malacañang. (File photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte joined the entire nation in mourning the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who passed away on Thursday morning, and called to set aside differences, for now, to honor his predecessor’s life.
“I join the entire nation in mourning the passing of Former President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Duterte said in a statement released on Thursday evening.
“I express my deepest sympathies to his siblings, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris, as well as to all his loved ones, friends and supporters in this period of sadness. May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is now in a better place with his Creator,” he added.
The President pressed for unity as he underscored Aquino’s service to Filipinos.
“Let us all take this opportunity to unite in prayer and set aside our differences as we pay respects to a leader who has given his best to serve the Filipino people,” Duterte said.
“His memory and his family’s legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts,” he continued.
Aquino died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday morning. His family said he died due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.
He served as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016.
Prior to his presidency, he was a senator from 2007 to 2010 and chaired the Senate committee on local government. He was also vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on justice and human rights.
Aquino, the only son of late former President Corazon C. Aquino and late former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., first entered politics in 1998 as Tarlac 2nd District Representative and served for three terms.
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