Family, friends and allies of the late President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III have paid tribute to the former leader during his 63rd birth anniversary on Wednesday.
Former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin were among the former Cabinet members who attended a special mass in honor of Aquino. The memorial mass was held at Aquino’s tomb located at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.
Also remembering Aquino on his birth anniversary were Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, former Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, former Presidential Management Staff chief Julia Abad, and former Palace deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte.
“Narito tayo ngayon sa huling himlayan ng ating dating ‘Boss’ at malapit na kaibigan na si Pangulong Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III,” Hataman wrote on Facebook.
“Nagtipon-tipon kami dito ngayon upang magbigay-pugay kay PNoy sa araw ng kanyang kapanganakan, para parangalan ang kanyang nagawa hindi lang sa amin na kanyang mga kaibigan, kundi para rin sa buong bansang Pilipinas at sa mamamayang Pilipino na kanyang itinuring na kanyang ‘Boss,'” he said.
Hataman, former ARMM governor, also highlighted Aquino’s contribution to peace and development in Mindanao. He said the government returned to the peace table with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which later led to the signing of the Bangsamoro peace pact.
“Kung ano man ang Bangsamoro ngayon, malaking bahagi nito ay ang efforts ni PNoy na wakasan na ang digmaan sa Mindanao at manaig ang kapayapaan,” he said.
Hataman also credited Aquino’s efforts aimed at putting an end to terrorism and violent extremism in his home province of Basilan. He said several roads and other infrastructure projects as well as social services were delivered under Aquino’s watch.
“Maraming salamat, brother! Maaga ka man nawala, hinding hindi namin makakalimutan ang iyong sakripisyo para sa bayan at sa aming lalawigan.
Ang sinimulan mong kapayapan ay isang malaking legasiya at tinatamasa na ng Bangsamoro,” he said.
Aquino, the country’s president from 2010 to 2016, passed away on June 24, 2021. He was 61.
His presidency was marked by robust economic growth, education and health reforms, and arbitration victory against China’s excessive claims in the West Philippine Sea, among others. The administration however also drew criticisms over the handling of the August 2010 bus hostage crisis, super typhoon Yolanda response, and the bungled Mamasapano police raid.
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