In mourning Noynoy’s death, Biden praises his steadfast commitment to peace and rule of law

US President Joe Biden on Friday hailed the late former President Benigno Aquino III's steadfast commitment to advancing peace and upholding the rule of law, adding he was a valued friend and partner to the United States.

In a statement, Biden praised Aquino, who died of renal failure Thursday, for driving economic growth for all Filipinos, "while taking bold steps to promote the rules-based international order."

These actions, Biden said, left "a remarkable legacy at home and abroad that will endure for years to come."

"I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. He was a valued friend and partner to the United States, and he will long be remembered for serving his country with integrity and selfless dedication," Biden said.

"I greatly valued our time working together, and I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family and to all who will mourn his absence."

The 61-year-old Aquino III, son of pro-democracy icons, Benigno Jr. and Corazon, who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos, promoted good governance and brought China's massive territorial claims to an international court during his presidency.

Four years after filing the case against China in 2012, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines invalidating China's claim in July 2016.

A chorus of global condolences poured in for Aquino III from Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Nations and the European Union, among others, as Philippine flags were lowered at half-staff on government buildings.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, lauded Aquino for his determination "to reform the government and promote the stable growth of the Philippine economy."

Under Aquino III, the ministry said Taiwan and the Philippines have strengthened cooperation on legal and maritime cooperation with the signing of the "Taiwan-Philippines Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Justice" and the "Taiwan-Philippines Cooperation Agreement on Promoting Fishery Law Enforcement."

These agreements, the ministry said, highlighted the "friendly and cooperative relations between Taiwan and the Philippines."

Manila and Taipei have no formal diplomatic ties in deference to the One-China Policy. Taiwan, a self-ruling democratic island considered by China as part of its territory, is represented by the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office, which acts as its de-facto embassy in the Philippines. — RSJ, GMA News