Ex-President Noynoy ‘in and out’ of hospital even before COVID-19 pandemic —Aquino family

Former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has been “in and out” of the hospital for medical treatment even before the COVID-19 pandemic started, the Aquino family said in their official statement Thursday.

“Pribado siyang tao. Bago pa man ang pandemic, labas-masok na siya sa ospital,” Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Noynoy’s sister, read the family's statement at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

(He is a private person. Even before the pandemic, he's been going in and out of the hospital.)

The former president died peacefully in his sleep at 6:30 a.m. Thursday due to renal disease secondary to diabetes, Pinky said.

The Aquino family issued their official statement hours after the news broke that the former chief executive was rushed to Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City and eventually succumbed to death.

Pinky was with her other sisters— Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Victoria Elisa Aquino-Dee, and Kris Aquino.

Moreover, Pinky acknowledged the medical staff who took care of his brother and protected his privacy while getting his medical treatments.

“Naramdaman namin bilang mga kapatid niya (As his siblings, we felt) that they did everything to make him comfortable. They became compassionate friends who gave him true respect by valuing and protecting his privacy,” she said.

In December 2019, Aquino was confined in the intensive care unit of Makati Medical Center.

However, details about his previous confinement were not disclosed to the public.

Details on his burial and internment are yet to be announced.—AOL, GMA News