Philippine senators on Thursday mourned and paid tribute to former president Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III who died earlier this morning at the age of 61.
In a statement, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he had ordered that the Philippine flag in the Senate flown at half-mast to show respect to the death of the former leader.
"No matter what political side you’re on when a former president passes away, the country mourns. His death diminishes us all. Sincerest condolences from the Senate and my family to the family of President Benigno C. Aquino III," Sotto said.
'The nation has lost a gentleman'
Senate Minority leader Franklin Drilon, in a statement, remembered PNoy as a 'dear friend' and a 'gentleman' who served the country well.
Aquino served as President from 2010-2016 before he was succeeded by President Rodrigo Duterte.
"I have lost a dear friend and the nation has lost a gentleman who served his country well — with all honesty and sincerity and with the purest of intentions. He meant well and wanted the best for the country and for all of us," Drilon said.
Drilon, a member of the Liberal Party, also served as justice and labor secretary under Aquino's mother, the late democracy icon and former President Corazon Aquino.
'Did not deserve to be underappreciated'
Meanwhile, for Senator Panfilo Lacson, Aquino served the country with humility, honor, and integrity and "did not deserve to be underappreciated."
“So sad to hear that at a relatively young age of 61, he had passed on to the Great Beyond. As our country’s leader, he did not deserve to be unappreciated. He served his country very well with humility, honor, and integrity,” Lacson said in a message.
“Even as President, he always managed to promptly respond to my messages, no matter how casual and trivial. It was indeed a privilege to have served with him – both in the Senate and the Executive Department, but more than that, to be his friend,” he added.
Hontiveros, Villanueva laud Aquino legacy
"Nung mga taon na presidente natin si PNoy, ang dami nating mabuting nagawa, tayong mga Pilipino. He’s a good man at ang dami nating mabuting nagawa during his watch, maraming na-repare na democratic institution," Senator Rusa Hontiveros said in an interview.
Hontiveros also called PNoy a good man and considered him as “one of the best things that happened to the country pagkatapos ng 1986 People Power Revolution.”
Sen. Joel Villanueva, who was Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief under Aquino administration, said he is still "shattered in million pieces" over the former boss' passing.
"The nation lost a leader, and I, a friend. But he was more than that. He was a mentor, a brother to me," he said.
"If I was Tesdaman, he was the TESDA Godfather. He believed in the great talents of our youth, waiting to be unlocked if given good training, right breaks, and inspiring success stories. By ordering that they be trained, he invested in their dreams," he added.
Villanueva continued: "When the passion of the present had died down, a fair assessment of his administration will bear the truth of great achievements, brave decisions, and moral leadership."
No greed for power
On the other hand, Senator Grace Poe honored the honest service of PNoy, whom she described as someone who has no greed for power.
"Sa nagbukas ng serbisyo publiko sa atin, maraming salamat sa iyong legasiya ng pagsisilbi ng buong katapatan at dedikasyon. Ipinakita sa atin ni PNoy ang kahalagahan ng mabuting kalooban sa isang pinuno: walang pag-iimbot sa kapwa, malinis ang intensyon, at walang pagkagahaman sa kapangyarihan," Poe stated.
The only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was elected as the 15th President of the Philippines on June 30, 2010, succeeding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
