MM mayors mourn death of former president Aquino
By J.Lo
“We knew him as ‘PNoy,’ he championed good governance reforms that promoted efficiency and reduced opportunities for corruption… Philippines was cited as fastest-growing economy in Asia during his administration,” Metro Manila mayors mourned passing of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III , fifteenth president of the Philippines died at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. He was 61 years old.
Philippine flags at the Quezon City hall and the Kartilya monument in the city of Manila were lowered to half-mast to mark Aquino’s passing.
Aquino ran on a platform of “Daang Matuwid,” Filipino fo “the straight and righteous path,” and vowed he would eradicate corruption, raise conditions of people living at the margins of society and instill transparency in governance.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso offered his condolences to the Aquino family, saying: “My heart goes out to you in sorrow.”
“PNoy was a pragmatic man who did the best with cards that life had dealt him…he inspired us with his unexpected humility…may his legacy continue to lead others to the right path.”
Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi also extended his condolences to the family of the former chief executive.
“As a loyal public servant, former President Noynoy fought for Daang Matuwid and the improvement of government services, as well as support for the Filipino poor,” Fresnedi said in a statement.
Fresnedi said Aquino’s earlier programs were done for the development of the people of Muntinlupeños.
“Thank you very much, former President Noynoy, for your sacrifice and love for our country.”
Quezon City Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte-Alimurung also expressed “great sadness” over Aquino’s passing, calling him “symbol of good governance, anti-corruption, and full transparency.”
Belmonte said her mother, the late Betty Go-Belmonte, and former President Cory Aquino, were very close friends, and that this friendship extended throughout the two families.
She said that she got to spend time with Noynoy through the years and that the two frequently discussed public platforms “to help increase livelihood and alleviate poverty, as well as measures to ensure inclusive growth for communities and various sectors.”
“Whether on the public stage or away from the cameras, PNoy’s passion for shared progress and his sincere desire for a better Philippines was evident…more importantly, he did his very best to translate this vision into action.”
The mayor added that Aquino was instrumental 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.”
“Quezon City mourns with you, and celebrates the outstanding life of a remarkable public servant who devoted his life to pursue and uphold what he called a ‘Daang Matuwid,'” Belmonte said.
“I hope that his brand of leadership inspires us all to rise up from effects of pandemic, and to emerge as better, more responsible citizens.”
Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said city government, together with the people of Pasay, “join the family of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino in praying for the eternal repose of his soul.”
“We thank him for serving well our country as president and for all the help he has extended to our people during his presidency,” she said.
Metro Manila Development Authority chair Benhur Abalos also said that MMDA was “one with the nation in mourning the passing.”
“We wish the family moment of peace and comfort in this time of grief,” he said. The flag at the MMDA’s headquarters in Manila was also lowered to half-mast.
Condolences poured in from House lawmakers following the death of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, with a handful of them remembering some key reforms introduced during his administration.
“We all grieve for losing him so early,” House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District) said… “man of integrity, a Filipino leader who made it his primary mission to institutionalize good governance reforms.”
Rep. Elpidio Barzaga (Cavite, 4th District) called Aquino’s death a “big loss … to our country as a whole,” and remembered his “very successful” fight against corruption, for transparency, for public accountability and for democracy.
Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) recalled how Aquino set aside partisanship when he approved four measures he authored, including the controversial reproductive health law and reparations for victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos’ martial rule, despite being in the opposition.
Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay, 2nd District) recalled how Aquino championed disaster risk reduction and management, particularly in Albay where the former president initiated Project NOAH.
Salceda also remembered Aquino for “modern and responsive” governance, as he institutionalized the bottom-up budgeting system.
He also credited Aquino for starting the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program that “continues to help lift millions out of abject poverty.”
For Rep. Rowena Niña Taduran (ACT-CIS party-list), Aquino was the president who brought China to court, prosecuted the people allegedly behind pork barrel scam and fought to save the life overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso who was on death row in Indonesia over drug trafficking charges.
Aquino had served as Tarlac representative from 1998 to 2007.
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