Paalam, PNoy: Heartfelt Tributes From Politicians Pour Out for Former President Noynoy Aquino
Jun 24, 2021 • Cristina Morales
Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died earlier today, at 6:30 am. The cause of death, according to his older sister Pinky Aquino-Abelleda, was renal failure secondary to diabetes. He was 61. The news of his death shocked the entire country. Though he faced plenty of opposition during his term, politicians from all over the political spectrum couldn’t help but eulogize his work ethic, his simple lifestyle, and his dedication to the country. Here are just some of the most striking tributes.
Bam Aquino
The late president’s cousin took to Facebook to express his grief, writing:
“Nadurog and puso ko sa paglisan ni PNoy sa atin. Sa mga susunod na oras, maraming sasabihin tungkol sa kanya — iba totoo, iba hindi. Pero ito ang masasabi ko — lahat ibinigay niya para sa Pilipino. Wala syang itinira.”
(“My heart is crushed after learning of PNoy’s death. In the following hours, much will be said about him — some true, some not. But this is all I will say — he gave everything for the Filipino. He didn’t hold anything back.”)
Teddy Boy Locsin
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. wrote that he would take a break from Twitter to grieve over Aquino’s death. “He wasn’t fond of me but I could not bring myself not to admire him,” Locsin wrote.
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
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2021
no matter the occasion or provocation; showing feelings was vulgar which I too believe but am guilty of. It is a hard ethic. Blood always shows. I beg his sisters to allow me the honor to share their grief. He wasn’t fond of me but I could not bring myself not to admire him.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2021
Imee Marcos
Though the Marcos and Aquino clans have an embattled history, Senator Imee Marcos took to her social media to write a tribute, saying: “…Beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul. He will be deeply missed.”
Chiz Escudero
Sorsogon governor and former senator Chiz Escudero wrote, “I am quite sure that the world mourns with your loved ones, but with grateful hearts for your contribution to the Filipino people as a public servant and a remarkable person.”
Marvic Leonen
Associate Justice Marvic Leonen served as the government peace panel chairman during Aquino’s administration. In a statement published on Twitter, he wrote, “I knew him to be a kind of 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.”
— Help others. Humanity will endure. (@marvicleonen) June 24, 2021
Chel Diokno
Atty. Chel Diokno wrote about how he and Aquino bonded over their parents’ shared experiences. “I remember how he stayed for more than an hour at my mom’s wake, reminiscing about our dads’ imprisonment,” he wrote. “How, in private moments, he would often talk about our parents, and their detention in Laur. He left us too soon.”
Jejomar Binay
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay, who served alongside Aquino, wrote about how even their political differences have not diminished their families’ friendship.
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.
My deepest condolences to the family. Godspeed, Pareng Noy.
— Jejomar C. Binay (@JojoCBinay) June 24, 2021
Binay also shared a photo of himself and Noynoy after the 1986 Edsa Revolution.
This photo of Noynoy and myself was taken shortly after the 1986 Edsa Revolution. The day the revolution started, Noynoy and I were together in Makati, thanking the people for voting for his mother, former President Cory. Rest in Peace, Pareng Noy. pic.twitter.com/IEfAyhHBYL
— Jejomar C. Binay (@JojoCBinay) June 24, 2021
Leni Robredo
In perhaps one of the most personal tributes, Vice President Leni Robredo wrote about how Aquino comforted her after the death of her husband Jesse Robredo.
“He brought Jesse home to us in Naga and I remember telling him I wanted to see my husband for the last time before the embalming begins. PNoy was telling me, in not so many words, that Jesse was underwater for 3 days and was not in the best shape. But when I insisted, he accompanied me to the embalming room where Jesse was, still inside the body bag. I opened the body bag and spent what seemed like forever, saying my final goodbye. PNoy was just there, standing a few steps behind, not saying anything and just letting me be. Months after, when it became easier to talk about it, he told me he made sure that he was just a few steps behind me so that he was near enough to catch me just in case I fainted. But when he saw me holding Jesse, he thought he would be the first one to faint.
“Since then, he has always looked after me and the children. He would always ask how each of the three is doing. Even after he stepped down, he would send over food that he thinks the girls would enjoy.
“…It has been my greatest honor to have worked with him, even only for a while. It was a blessing to be his friend. “
Salamat at paalam, PNoy.
