Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, the Philippines’ former president who waged an anti-corruption agenda and ushered in key economic reforms during his term has died at the age of 61, officials said on June 24, 2021. (Photo by HOANG DINH Nam / AFP)
Former Philippine President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, the reserved scion of one of Asia’s most famous political families, died Thursday. He was 61.
Aquino, who was in office from 2010 to 2016, was the only son of the late former president Corazon Aquino and her assassinated husband, senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, both revered for leading the struggle to restore democracy in the archipelago nation.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman announced Aquino’s death hours after local media reported the former leader had been rushed to a Manila hospital.
“We commiserate and condole with the family and loved ones of former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as we extend our condolences on his untimely demise,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
“We are grateful to the former president for his contributions and services to the country and we ask our people to offer a prayer for the eternal repose of the former chief executive.”
Details about the unmarried politician’s death were not announced. The Aquino clan was expected to issue a statement shortly.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweeted his “grief over the death of a sea-green incorruptible”.
He said Aquino was “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”.
Supreme Court Justice Marvic Leonen, who was Aquino’s former peace negotiator with Muslim rebels, expressed “profound sadness” over the former leader’s death.
“I knew him to be a kind man, driven by his passion to serve our people, diligent in his duties, and with an avid and consuming curiosity about new knowledge and the world in general,” Leonen said.
Aquino, who was succeeded by President Rodrigo Duterte, waged an anti-corruption campaign during a term that ushered in key economic reforms.
Unusually for the conservative Catholic country, Aquino remained a bachelor throughout his life, though had relationships with a number of women.
