WATCH

Robredo arrives at Ateneo to pay respects to ex-President Aquino

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday afternoon arrived at the Church of Gesu in Ateneo de Manila University to pay her last respects to her ally, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who died on Thursday.

At around 3 p.m., Robredo arrived in Ateneo along with her children—Tricia and Aika, according to a tweet by Super Radyo DzBB’s Manny Vargas.

Asked how big of a loss was the passing of Aquino, the Vice President said it was  very personal for her and her daughters because of their relationship with him.

But more than that, the country lost a leader who sacrificed a lot for the people, she said.

"Ipinakita niya 'yung klase ng leadership na kinakailangan ng ating bansa. 'Yung pagkawala niya parang end of an era e, na 'yung challenge is upon everyone of us to continue what he fought for," Robredo added.

On Thursday, Robredo was one of the political personalities who first arrive at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City to condole with the bereaved family.

Also seen at the Church of Gesu were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, former Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas III, and newly-installed Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.

The public is allowed to visit Aquino's ashes at the Church of Gesu from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 25.

There will be a Holy Mass at 5 p.m. and another Mass at 8 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, there will also be a funeral mass still at the Church of Gesu at 10 a.m., which will be led by Archbishop Socrates Villegas.

After the funeral mass, the former president's remains will be laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Quezon City, where he will also be given arrival honors and gun salute.

On Thursday morning, Aquino was rushed to Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City.

According to a statement read by his sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada on Thursday afternoon at Heritage Park, Aquino was pronounced dead at 6:30 a.m. due to renal disease secondary to diabetes.

Abellada also said her brother had been in and out of hospital even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aquino was the Philippines’ 15th president.

Before holding the highest elected position in the Philippines in 2010, Aquino served in the Legislative department. He represented Tarlac’s second district in the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2007, after which he ran for senator and served in the Senate from 2007 to 2010.—AOL, GMA News