THE Provincial Government joined the entire Filipino nation in grieving for the death former President Maria Corazon “Cory” Aquino last August 1.
The 76-year-old democracy icon became an accidental opposition leader, rising to prominence after the 1983 assassination of her husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
She led the “People Power” uprising in 1986 which resulted to the fall of the 20-year regime of the late Ferdinand Marcos.
March, last year, Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent into chemotherapy and surgery.
After battling almost 18 months with her cancer, she was admitted to the hospital this June after a loss of appetite and passed away last Saturday of cardio-respiratory arrest.
Governor Aurora Cerilles, who is still in Manila as of press time, has ordered Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo last Monday to devote a day in the province in deference to the late leader.
Cerilles’ move came after President Gloria Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamations 1850 and 1851, which declared Aug. 5, the day of Cory’s burial, a non-working holiday.
Degamo then directed that the Philippine flag in front of the Capitol be flown at half-mast and yellow ribbons strapped on the other flag poles at the quadrangle.
Yellow is Aquino’s favorite color.
For his part, Vice Gov. Roseller “Roy” Ariosa, acting governor, issued Memorandum No. 08-16 instructing all Capitol officials and employees to hear the mass offering for the late president at San Jose Parish Church on the burial date.
Ariosa said in his memo: “For a woman who has been the epitome of genuine public service, the least we can do is to give her our sincerest respect.”
“President Aquino, in her lifetime, has opened the doors for democracy in our country, the memo further stated.
With her funeral procession estimated to be attended by 300,000 people, Aquino was interred last Wednesday beside her husband at the Manila Memorial Park.
Meanwhile, the Senate and House of Representatives on Monday suspended their session for the whole week to also mourn the death of Aquino.
In an interview inside his residence, Rep. Antonio Cerilles took the opportunity to pay his last respects to Aquino, calling her “a woman of peace.”
“She loves this country so much because everytime there are issues, you could see her visibility and you will see her clear stand on any issue.
“She is also humble when she realized later that she commited a mistake, just like when she offered her apology to former President Joseph Estrada,” Cerilles added.
“She is a very humble person because during the last years of her presidency, she virtually delivered a goodbye address and told the nation that she would like to have a simple and private life. She showed love to her former enemies and became a big part of our history,” he added.
During last Monday's session, Congress unanimously adopted House Resolution 1299, sponsored by all congressmen led by Speaker Prospero Nograles.
The measure saluted Cory as a “global icon of democracy for strengthening democracy and the rule of law in the Philippines.”
“In defense of freedom, a simple grieving widow, President Cory brought back life to our dying democracy, rallied a desperate people to unite amidst hopelessness during the darkest hours of our nation’s history,” the House’s statement reads.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & REMAI ALEJADO
The 76-year-old democracy icon became an accidental opposition leader, rising to prominence after the 1983 assassination of her husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.
She led the “People Power” uprising in 1986 which resulted to the fall of the 20-year regime of the late Ferdinand Marcos.
March, last year, Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent into chemotherapy and surgery.
After battling almost 18 months with her cancer, she was admitted to the hospital this June after a loss of appetite and passed away last Saturday of cardio-respiratory arrest.
Governor Aurora Cerilles, who is still in Manila as of press time, has ordered Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo last Monday to devote a day in the province in deference to the late leader.
Cerilles’ move came after President Gloria Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamations 1850 and 1851, which declared Aug. 5, the day of Cory’s burial, a non-working holiday.
Degamo then directed that the Philippine flag in front of the Capitol be flown at half-mast and yellow ribbons strapped on the other flag poles at the quadrangle.
Yellow is Aquino’s favorite color.
For his part, Vice Gov. Roseller “Roy” Ariosa, acting governor, issued Memorandum No. 08-16 instructing all Capitol officials and employees to hear the mass offering for the late president at San Jose Parish Church on the burial date.
Ariosa said in his memo: “For a woman who has been the epitome of genuine public service, the least we can do is to give her our sincerest respect.”
“President Aquino, in her lifetime, has opened the doors for democracy in our country, the memo further stated.
With her funeral procession estimated to be attended by 300,000 people, Aquino was interred last Wednesday beside her husband at the Manila Memorial Park.
Meanwhile, the Senate and House of Representatives on Monday suspended their session for the whole week to also mourn the death of Aquino.
In an interview inside his residence, Rep. Antonio Cerilles took the opportunity to pay his last respects to Aquino, calling her “a woman of peace.”
“She loves this country so much because everytime there are issues, you could see her visibility and you will see her clear stand on any issue.
“She is also humble when she realized later that she commited a mistake, just like when she offered her apology to former President Joseph Estrada,” Cerilles added.
“She is a very humble person because during the last years of her presidency, she virtually delivered a goodbye address and told the nation that she would like to have a simple and private life. She showed love to her former enemies and became a big part of our history,” he added.
During last Monday's session, Congress unanimously adopted House Resolution 1299, sponsored by all congressmen led by Speaker Prospero Nograles.
The measure saluted Cory as a “global icon of democracy for strengthening democracy and the rule of law in the Philippines.”
“In defense of freedom, a simple grieving widow, President Cory brought back life to our dying democracy, rallied a desperate people to unite amidst hopelessness during the darkest hours of our nation’s history,” the House’s statement reads.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & REMAI ALEJADO