House members mourn ex-Pres. Noynoy Aquino's passing

Lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Wednesday mourned the passing of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who also spent years as a member of the chamber.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco led his colleagues in expressing sadness over the former Tarlac lawmaker's death.

"The entire House of Representatives would like to extend its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time," he said.

"The nation mourns with you and celebrates the life of a man who dedicated his service to the country as a three-term representative of the second district of Tarlac in Congress, senator and president of the Republic of the Philippines." 

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said they grieve for losing a man with integrity and a Filipino leader who made it his primary mission to institutionalize good governance reforms.

"We extend our condolences to his family and loved ones. May you find peace in knowing that he is now back to the loving embrace of our Father," Romualdez said.

Deputy Speaker Mujiv Hataman said with Aquino's death, he also lost a good friend. He praised Aquino for being simple and humble even when he was already president.

"Tunay na makabayan, may puso para sa bayan, tapat na panunungkulan, hindi matatawaran. Ito ang mga katangiang hinangaan ko kay Pangulong PNoy," he said.

(He is a real patriot that has a heart for the nation. He is honest in his leadership.)

"Tinrato mong 'Boss' ang mga Pilipino! Ito rin ang mga katangiang kanyang ipinamalas sa kanyang mga opisyal na kapasidad," he added.

(You treated Filipino citizens as your 'boss.' He had shown this while in office.)

Muntinlupa lawmaker Ruffy Biazon also described Aquino as a man who became the president but “did not change his character which was marked by humility, integrity, and patriotism.”

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Ako-Bicol party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr., and Agusan del Norte Lawrence Fortun also condoled with the Aquino family.

They said Aquino's passing should not be regarded as an occasion for partisan matters or political division.

Recalling Aquino's legacy

Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman also expressed sadness over Aquino's death as he cited the landmark statutes approved by Aquino when he was president: the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, and the Centenarians Act of 2016.

"President Noynoy Aquino put aside partisanship when he endorsed and approved the foregoing laws notwithstanding the fact that I was their principal author representing the opposition," Lagman said.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda recalled how Aquino sought to make governance more modern and responsive. He said the Philippines was recognized as a "rising economic power" during Aquino's term.

"It was under President Aquino's term that budgeting became more participatory through the bottom-up budgeting (BUB) system," he said.

"His expansion of socioeconomic programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program continues to help lift millions out of abject poverty. His work to engage the private sector in the country’s development is also a model which continues to inform regional and national development," Salceda added.

AAMBIS-OWA party-list lawmaker Sharon Garin said Aquino’s strong economic policies empowered Filipinos from all walks of life and is now helping the country weather the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said he had "principled differences" with Aquino but the latter should be credited over his administration's move of filing a case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration over its massive claims in the South China Sea.

Zarate noted that the case resulted in the historic victory recognizing the Philippines' sovereign rights in the resource-rich region.

AMIN party-list Amihilda Sangcopan remembered how Aquino worked hard to craft the framework agreement for the Bangsamoro and the comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2012 and 2014.

Representatives Tonypet Albano, Mike Defensor, Rowena Taduran, Edgar Mary Sarmiento, and Ronnie Ong also expressed sympathies over Aquino's death.

Aquino, 61, died on Thursday morning at the Capitol Medical Center. There is no official statement yet from the Aquino family regarding the cause of his death. —KBK, GMA News