Ex-Philippines leader Corazon Aquino dies at 76

Former President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino passed away early Saturday morning August 1, Philippine time after a long battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

Deedee Siytangco, the former President’s spokesperson, confirmed Aquino’s demise this morning. The nation is certain to mourn the loss of the country’s Icon of Democracy.

Aquino died three days after her family declared that her health condition had stabilized.

Siytangco said last Wednesday that “her (Cory’s) children said she’s now stable.”

On Thursday, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it is one with the Filipino people not only in praying for the cancer-stricken former president but also in thanking the latter for restoring freedom and democracy in the country.

“We join the Filipino people in thanking her for the freedom and democracy that she helped bring back to the country in 1986,” CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a letter to Noynoy.

“The country will forever be grateful for the sacrifices she and her husband, Ninoy, have offered in response to the dream and challenge that our country is worth dying for,” he said.

Last July 13, the CBCP offered a mass for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery during the 99th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center on UN Ave., Manila. “Together we pray for her, God’s will be done,” Lagdameo said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) asked its member-schools to pray and offer masses for the country’s former leader.

Aside from offering prayers and masses, the CEAP also asked its members to tie yellow ribbons, wear yellow bands and shirts, and hang streamers to show their support and love for Mrs. Aquino.

Earlier, Aquino's former Tourism secretary, Rafael Alunan, also talked of Cory’s humility even during her time as the highest official of the land.

Alunan lauded the efforts of Aquino's friends and former Cabinet officers in spearheading the "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" campaign to show support for Aquino.

“I think the Filipino people will not forget Cory Aquino and yellow will always symbolize her purity in pushing for reforms,” he said.

The response to the campaign proves “the people yearn for those good times with Cory, when we're all together organizing and fighting for the common good,” Alunan said.

From a news site:

At the time of her death, the 76-year-old widow was confined in a private room at the Makati Medical Center’s ninth floor.

Doctors had strongly advised to keep the former President in her hospital room so she could get immediate medical attention after her cancer spread from her colon to the liver, said Noynoy. Aquino's weakened state made it impossible for her to undergo further chemotherapy.

Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. She had chemotherapy and underwent surgery last April. She returned to hospital confinement last June 25 due to continued loss of appetite caused by fluid buildup in her stomach.

A statement from Former Finance Secretary Jose T. Pardo, a staunch supporter of Aquino read, "President Cory has earned her place in history as the leader who brought back hope to our country. She was our guiding light during those dark moments. She is an icon, beacon of democracy. She will live on forever in our hearts."

Last Monday, Alberto Lim, executive director of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC), issued a statement noting that aside from restoring democracy in the Philippines, former President Aquino had also “saved the business sector from the cronies of the late Ferdinand Marcos.”

Aquino's “historic” contribution to the business sector prompted the MBC to organize a nine-day noontime novena Mass, which started Monday.

“When President Aquino restored our democracy, she also salvaged the business sector, which was at that time being taken over by Marcos cronies. Democracy is very vital in business. If not for her, there is no vibrant business sector in the country," Lim said.

Armed policemen stand guard as a vehicle with a yellow ribbon, a gesture of mourning, waits outside the Heritage memorial park in Manila where the body of the late former Philippine president Corazon Aquino was brought to, August 1, 2009. Aquino, whose "people power" revolution swept dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power in the Philippines, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer, her family said. She was 76.