The urn containing the ashes of the late former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte called up former President Benigno S. Aquino III’s sisters—Ballsy and Kris—to directly convey his condolences on the death of their brother, said Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who added that he and the Chief Executive supported Noynoy during his 2010 campaign.
“Nakausap po ni Pangulo si Ma’am Ballsy at si Ma’am Kris kagabi (The President spoke with Bally and Kris last night),” Senator Christopher “Bong” Go told reporters at the sidelines of an event in Manila Friday.
The senator said he also extended his condolences to Aquino’s sisters.
Go, meanwhile, said that politics should be put aside while the nation mourns the death of the former president.
‘Di panahon ng pagsisiraan’
“Ito po ay panahon po ng pagluluksa sa pagkawala ng ating minamahal na dating pangulong Noynoy Aquino’ di po ito panahon ng politika,” he said.
(This is a time to mourn the loss of our beloved former president Noynoy Aquino, and not for partisan politics.)
The senator then recalled the “friendship” both he and Duterte had with Aquino, saying they did support Noynoy during his 2010 run for the presidency.
“Marami po kaming magagandang memories nung kampanya and even until nung naging pangulo po siya ay magkaibigan po sila ni Pangulong Duterte,” Go said.
(We have many good memories during his campaign and even when he became president, he and President Duterte are friends.)
“Hindi po ito panahon ng pagsisiraan. Hindi po ito panahon ng pagbabatikusan, ito po ay panahon ng pagaalala sa mga magagandang nagawa ng dating Pangulong Aquino,” he added.
(This is not the time to point out the faults. This is the time to honor the good works of former president Aquino.)
Aquino died in his sleep on Thursday morning. His death certificate indicates that the cause of his death was renal disease secondary to diabetes. He was 61.
Aquino was the only son of democracy icons – the assassinated former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino. He was survived by sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel, and Kris.
READ: Duterte declares June 24 to July 3 as national days of mourning for Aquino
Duterte had already declared June 24, 2021, to July 3, 2021, as national days of mourning for Aquino.
READ: Duterte declares June 24 to July 3 as national days of mourning for Aquino