Allies, critics praise Aquino statesmanship, honesty, humility

ICONS ALL The son had done more than enough to make his parents proud. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Allies, political opponents and critics of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III all praised him for leading the country as a statesman with integrity, humility and honesty, and avoiding the limelight until his death early on Thursday, five years after he stepped down.

Some of his former colleagues in the House of Representatives and in the Senate said his sincerity was unquestionable and his determination was key to the approval of landmark laws during his presidency such as those on sin taxes and reproductive health.

Former President and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, one of the targets of the Aquino government’s anticorruption campaign who spent jail time for alleged plunder during his presidency, said her former economics student left his own mark in the nation’s history.

“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, Sen. Ninoy Aquino and our 11th and 15th presidents, Cory and Noynoy Aquino,” Arroyo said.

Bond between families

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay acknowledged that he and Aquino had political differences during the final years of his term, “but that will not diminish the many years of friendship between our families.”

The bonds between the Aquino and Binay families took root during the Marcos dictatorship when Binay, like Aquino’s father, was part of the opposition.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, a nephew of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and archrival of Aquino’s father, said news of the former President’s death came as a shock.

“We all grieve for losing him so early—a man of integrity, a Filipino leader who made it his primary mission to institutionalize good governance reforms,” Romualdez said.

Another Arroyo student at the Ateneo de Manila University, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, said his former classmate made governance more modern and responsive, citing budget reforms.

“In the world stage, the Philippines became recognized as a rising economic power and an active participant in solving the world’s problems,” he said.

Salceda said Aquino’s expansion of socioeconomic programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program continued to help lift millions of Filipinos out of poverty.

House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano described Aquino as “a true statesman who chose to retire in peace” after a long career in public service.

Case vs China

“He will be remembered for his good leadership and incorruptible character. One who had served the country with his whole heart and left public office with dignity,” Paduano said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, a critic of the Aquino administration, said the Makabayan bloc appreciated the late president’s move to file and win the arbitration case against China’s sweeping claims to the South China Sea.

Like Zarate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros cited the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling as one of Aquino’s legacies of “hope and justice for generations to come.”

Aquino was “well-respected as a statesman and fought enormous battles for our national sovereignty,” she said.

Despite their disagreements on some issues, Sen. Richard Gordon said he and Aquino “believe that as a nation, we should assert and defend our sovereignty over what is rightfully ours.”

Senate President Vicente Sotto III ordered the flag at the Senate to be flown at half-staff as a sign of mourning.

“His death diminishes us all. No matter what political side you’re on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns,” he said.

Return to just path

Detained Sen. Leila De Lima, who had served as Aquino’s justice secretary, said his death left her “truly heartbroken.”

“If there is anything that I feel sorry the most, is that he has not yet seen how Filipinos would unite all over again to return to the straight and just path that he had fought for,” she said in a statement from her Camp Crame cell.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso ordered all Philippine flags in the nation’s capital flown at half-staff and offered his condolences to Aquino’s family.

He said Aquino “championed good governance reforms that promoted efficiency and reduced opportunities for corruption.”

“[Aquino] inspired us with his unexpected humility. May his legacy continue to lead others to the right path,” he said. —WITH REPORTS FROM MELVIN GASCON, NESTOR CORRALES, MARICAR CINCO AND DEXTER CABALZA INQ