Death of Corazon Aquino

Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino passed away from cardiopulmonary arrest at the Makati Medical Center. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008.
Reaction
Government reaction
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was on a state visit in Washington, D.C. when she was informed about the President Aquino's death, President Arroyo called Aquino a "national treasure", she has ended her trip and is on her way back to Manila according to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde to join in the national mourning. President Arroyo announced a 10-days of mourning for the former President, she also issued Administrative Order No. 269 to "official acts and observances” to help in the funeral of the former President with a special committee composed of:
*Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita,
*Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo,
*Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro,
*Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno,
*and representatives of the Senate of the Philippines, House of Representatives of the Philippines and the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
International community
* United States: According to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, President Barack Obama was deeply saddened by the death of President Aquino. Gibbs said that, "Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent “People Power” movement over twenty years ago. Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines".
:U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former U.S. President Bill Clinton expressed their condolences and said that they were "inspired by her quiet strength and her unshakable commitment to justice and freedom".
:U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney said in a statement “On behalf of the U.S. Embassy, I would like to express our most heartfelt condolences to the Aquino family and to the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Corazon Aquino".
* Vatican City: According to the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone Pope Benedict XVI recalled Corazon Aquino's "courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people." He remembered her "as a woman of deep and unwavering faith".

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