A FLOOD of memories and collective sighs greeted Thursday morning’s sudden death of former President Benigno S. “Noynoy” Aquino III, including those from two close Aquino family allies he had been at odds with, a dictator’s daughter, the mother of a desaparecido and even animal rights advocates who recalled his concern over a huge, old elephant’s misery at the zoo.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., one of the closest former aides of Noynoy’s mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino, tweeted: “I’m out of Twitter from grief over the death of a sea-green incorruptible, brave under armed attack, wounded in crossfire, indifferent to power and its trappings, and ruled our country with a puzzling coldness but only because he hid his feelings so well it was thought he had none; it was the way he and his siblings were raised by a great woman—their mother and of our restored democracy (without her none in power yesterday and today would be).”
Locsin, who had a falling out with Noynoy in the last years of his presidency, said in candor, “He wasn’t fond of me but I could not bring myself not to admire him.”
He then said he would beg “his sisters to allow me the honor to share their grief.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement: “During his term as the 15th President of the Philippine Republic, President Aquino elevated the country’s conduct of foreign relations, steered foreign policy towards a principled direction that earned international respect and esteem, and invigorated the foreign service with a collective sense of patriotism, commitment to service, and professionalism.”
Among the first to issue a statement on Aquino’s death was Edita T. Burgos, widow of the press freedom icon Joe Burgos and mother of desaparecido Jonas Burgos. In a text message to BusinessMirror, she said: “I am grateful to President Noynoy Aquino for signing RA 10368, the Anti-Disappearance Law, the only country in Asia with a law on enforced disappearance.
As a senator, his first privilege speech was on the enforced disappearance cases in the Philippines, focusing on the case of Jonas Joseph Burgos.”
Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen described Aquino as “a kind man, driven by his passion to serve our people, diligent in his duties, and with an avid and consuming curiousity about new knowledge and the world in general.”
Ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno described Aquino as a “good man” and “responsible leader” who will be remembered “for how he invested in the long-term strengthening of justice and accountability.
Sereno replaced the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was removed from his post following impeachment proceedings in 2012. Corona was an appointee of Aquino’s predecessor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and his impeachment was widely viewed as a form of political vendetta subtly encouraged by Aquino.
Meanwhile, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario said: “In December of last year, I had a simple text message exchange with PNOY which read as follows: “I would like you to know, Mr. President, that there is only one person I truly look up to—and that would be YOU! Take care, Sir.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Albert. Stay safe” came the simple response.
Another former ally who later parted ways with Aquino was former Vice President Jejomar Binay, who like Locsin worked with the late President Corazon Aquino. “Noynoy and I may have had political differences during the last few years of his term, but that will not diminish the many years of friendship between our families,” Binay said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, described Noynoy Aquino as “a profile of courage [and] a man of convictions.”
Recto recalled that, “when politics clashed with the principles he [Aquino] held dear, he would choose the latter, even at the expense of friendships and alliances a leader must maintain in order to govern.”
For his part, Sen. Joel Villanueva admitted he was “still shattered in a million pieces” on learning of Aquino’s demise.
Villanueva recalled that “If I was TESDAMAN, he was the TESDA Godfather. He [Aquino] believed in the great talents of our youth, waiting to be unlocked if given good training, the right breaks, and inspiring success stories. By ordering that they be trained, he invested in their dreams.”
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who served in the latter part of Aquino’s term as deputy executive secretary for legal affairs, said Aquino deserves the respect of the Filipino for serving the country from 2010 to 2016.
“Leading a country like the Philippines with enormous social, economic, and political challenges is a colossal task. Anyone who accepts this awesome responsibility, like the late President Benigno Aquino III, deserves our utmost respect, admiration, and gratitude,” he said.
“One of former President Aquino’s biggest decisions was to confront China in an international tribunal over the issue of the West Philippine Sea. Only history will judge if it was his greatest decision,” the DOJ chief added.
Retired Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, who served as Solicitor General under the Aquino administration from 2012 to 2014 and was appointed in August 2014 by Aquino, shared Guevarra’s view.
Jardeleza said Aquino will be remembered for initiating the filing of arbitration on WPS before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as then chief architect of the country’s foreign policy.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who served as Executive Secretary of the late President Corazon Aquino, said, “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.”
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, an Aquino ally, said: “Like his parents, Ninoy and Cory, Noy dedicated his life to the ideals of democracy and the well-being of Filipinos, giving hope and moral courage when the country needed it most.”
Hontiveros recalled that Aquino was “well-respected as a statesman and fought enormous battles for our national sovereignty. His strong stand led to our historic win at The Hague in 2016, leaving a legacy of hope and justice for generations to come.”
The Ateneo de Manila said in a statement: “Despite the ups and downs of his term, he will be remembered as a President who showed our nation and the world how leadership with competence, conscience, compassion, and commitment can bring about a marked difference in the lives of millions of people. He will also be remembered for representing the Philippines with honor and dignity, elevating our country’s status on the world stage.”
For her part, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said, “PNoy played a key role in strengthening our country’s economic foundations and was instrumental in solidifying institutional processes such as conditional cash transfer programs, bottom-up budgeting procedures, and universal health care services. Moreover, he became a symbol of good governance, anti-corruption, and full transparency in government.”
Action for Economic Reforms (AER) said “Aquino was most instrumental in passing hard but critical reforms whose impacts are still being felt today. It cited his “key role in pushing for the landmark Sin Tax Reform Law in 2012, which created the momentum for sustained tax rate increases throughout the years. Aside from reducing smoking prevalence, this law created fiscal space, boosting revenues and leading to rapid economic growth until the pandemic hit. The Sin Tax Law served as the playbook for the passage of comprehensive tax reforms. Its financing also brought about the universal health care program, which we continue to strengthen today.”
For her part, Sen. Imee Marcos, whose Marcos political clan had been at odds with the Aquinos for years, described Noynoy as a “kind and simple soul,” whom she got to know well when they were both freshmen legislators in Congress.
And the PETA animal rights activists said the former President showed genuine concern over the plight of the elephant Mali at the Manila Zoo. With reports by Recto Mercene, Butch Fernandez, Joel San Juan
Image courtesy of Jimbo Albano
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