Palace on Butz: ‘We have lost a committed public servant’

Malacañang expressed its sadness on the death of former senator and the uncle of President Benigno Aquino III, Agapito “Butz” Aquino.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Aquino was known for his “wit and steadfast dedication to the ideals of his brother Ninoy and sister-in-law former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.”

Lacierda said that Aquino was an entrepreneur but chose to be involved in politics when his brother, Benigno ”Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was killed on August 21, 1983, under the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“Today, the Filipino people lost a committed public servant. Agapito “Butz” Aquino had originally chosen a quiet life as an entrepreneur, but in the face of the dictatorship’s tyranny, he became one of the frontline fighters for the restoration of our democracy,” Lacierda said.

The Palace official said that Aquino became involved in the formation of ATOM—the August 21 Movement—and BANDILA—or Bansang Nagkakaisa sa Diwa at Layunin—where he fought violence with non-violence. He was also the first public figure who asked Filipinos to fight the Marcos dictatorship.

Aquino then served as a senator from 1987 to 1995 and congressman from 1998 to 2007 where he championed the interests of cooperatives and small farmers.

“He was known for his optimism, his wit, and his steadfast dedication to the ideals of his brother Ninoy and sister-in-law Cory. We know that in this time of grief and loss for his family, the Filipino people will take his loved ones into their warm and grateful embrace,” Lacierda added.

Aquino, 76, died Monday afternoon due to natural causes, said Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. Aries Joseph Hegina