Supporters gather in Ateneo for late Pres. Noynoy's final rites

Supporters gather at the Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City to witness the last rites for late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who will be laid to his final resting place Saturday afternoon.

GMA News’ Vonne Aquino reported that at the Gate 3 of the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City campus, some supporters were waiting for the convoy that will transport the remains of the former President to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

Apart from Aquino's supporters, enforcers were seen preparing to manage the vehicular traffic flow on Katipunan Avenue.

Before the necrological Mass started, private vehicles were seen entering the university campus.

Some personalities seen arriving at the Church of Gesu chapel were Senators Panfilo Lacson and Risa Hontiveros. Noynoy’s cousin, former Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino was also sighted inside the chapel.

The necrological Mass for the late president, officiated by  Archbishop Socrates Villegas, started at 10 a.m.

After the funeral Mass, the former president's remains will be laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park, where he will also be given arrival honors and 21-gun salute by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Aquino’s ashes arrived at the Church of Gesu at around 9:10 in the morning.

The country's 15th president, Aquino, 61, died on Thursday morning. His remains were cremated on the same day.

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

Before holding the highest 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 Upper Chamber from 2007 to 2010. —LBG, GMA News