Noynoy Aquino dies in his sleep at 61

Former Philippine president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has passed away “peacefully in his sleep” Thursday morning, his sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada announced. He was 61. She said his death certificate listed renal disease secondary to diabetes as the cause of death.

“Mission accomplished Noy, be happy now with Dad and Mom. We love you and we are so blessed to have had the privilege to have had you as our brother,” Pinky’s statement read.

Noynoy Aquino was reportedly brought to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City early Thursday. Several of his allies, like Senator Kiko Pangilinan, former senator and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, and ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, were seen arriving and leaving the hospital. Vice President Leni Robredo has also been spotted at The Chapels at Heritage Park in Taguig, where Aquino’s remains will be brought.

Noynoy, or PNoy as he wished to be called after getting elected in 2010, kept out of the public’s eye after his term in office. Speaking with ANC, Deedee Siytangco, a former Aquino family spokesperson, said Noynoy had been undergoing dialysis in preparation for a kidney transplant before his death. Aquino was also a known smoker.

‘Nation in mourning’

Earlier, Robredo tweeted a photo with Aquino following news of his death. “He tried to do what was right, even when it was not popular,” Robredo said.

Malacañang also extended condolences to the Aquino family. “We’re grateful to the former president for his contributions and services to the country,” Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said. Around 1 p.m., Philippine flags in Malacañang were put at half-mast.

Senate President Tito Sotto on PNoy’s death said in a statement that “No matter what political side you’re on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns.”

Senator Imee Marcos, daughter of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who was the political rival of Aquino’s father, described PNoy as a kind soul. “For beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul. He will be deeply missed,” Marcos said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin, who served as former president Cory Aquino’s legal counsel and speech writer, also tweeted a photo with the younger Aquino.

Locsin, in a Twitter thread, said he hoped Noynoy’s sisters will allow him the honor to share their grief following his passing. “He wasn’t fond of me but I could not bring myself not to admire him,” Locsin shared.

Jejomar Binay, who was elected vice president alongside Aquino, posted about how their political differences in the last few years of their term “will not diminish the many years of friendship” between their families. “My deepest condolences to the family. Godspeed, Pareng Noy,” Binay added.

‘Daang Matuwid’

Aquino kicked off his presidency with the promise of fighting corruption in the government. He inspired confidence among many after telling Filipinos “Kayo ang boss ko” and “walang wang-wang.” After his six years in office, Aquino was lauded for the consistency in the country’s economic growth. Bloomberg reported Philippine economy under PNoy grew an average of 6.2% and twice exceeded 7%.

Aquino also challenged China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea at the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ruling, which came out after his term, was granted in favor of the Philippines. Furthermore, his administration was able to increase the employment rate from 92.7% in 2010 to 94.2% in 2016, according to his then Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.

Among the landmark legislation signed by PNoy are the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, which established the K-12 program; the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, which was known as the controversial RH bill; the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which enjoined the state to provide reparation for the victims of Martial Law; and the Sin Tax Reform Act, which restructured the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products to help fund the government’s Universal Health Care program.

Many international media noted that Aquino spent most of his time in the shadow of his parents, who are both icons of Philippine democracy. But it didn’t hamper the younger Noynoy from doing honest and valuable work. During his 5th State of the Nation Address, Aquino quoted his father Ninoy and added, “The Filipino is worth definitely dying for. The Filipino is worth living for and if I may add, the Filipino is worth fighting for.”

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