Duterte says Aquino gave best to serve Filipino people

President Rodrigo Duterte has joined the nation in mourning the death of his predecessor, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, calling him a true servant of the people.

“I join the nation in mourning the passing of former President Aquino. It is with profound sadness that I learned of his passing this morning,” Duterte said.

“Let us all take this opportunity to unite in prayer and set aside our differences as we pay respects to a leader who has given his best to serve the Filipino people. We thank the former President for his service to our country and I hope that my fellow Filipinos will be inspired by his legacy,” Duterte added.

The Chief Executive also extended condolences to the family members of the former President.

“I express my deepest sympathies to his siblings, Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris, as well as to all his loved ones, friends and supporters in this period of sadness. Be assured of the government’s assistance in this period of mourning and please accept the love and the prayers of a grateful nation,” Duterte said.

“May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is now in a better place with his Creator. His memory and family’s legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts,” Duterte added.

Reminder of mortality

The President also said that his predecessor’s sudden demise is a reminder of mortality for all.

“I could hardly find the words to say for the condolences...para sa lahat sa atin, Ecclesiastes (gospel), the long and short of the message, there is always a time for everything in this planet. Whatever it is, we will always have our appointed time,” the President pointed out.

“Sometimes, we take for granted life...in times like this, namatay ang kilala, Presidente, we are put on notice of our mortality; in this world, we cannot last forever,” the President added.

Malacañang has earlier extended condolences to the Aquino family over the untimely death of former President Aquino, who passed on at 61 years old.

Former President Noynoy Aquino is the only son of democracy icons former President Corazon Aquino and slain opposition Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.

Facing the media, actress and television host Kris Aquino thanked Duterte and his Cabinet members for offering sincere condolences to their family.

"We would have wanted so much more for our brother.  Maraming salamat sa Malacañang dahil nag-reach out sila. Maraming salamat kay President Duterte doon sa kanyang sa nararamdaman naming sinseridad na pagcocondole sa pamilya namin," Aquino pointed out, in an interview with reporters in Taguig.

(Thank you Malacañang for reaching out to us. Thank you President Duterte for his sincere condolences to our family.)

"Thank you kay Executive Secretary (Salvador) Medialdea dahil (because) he offered us everything that we wanted," she said.—With a report from Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News