Philippine ex Leader Aquino Dies

[The_Munchmaster]

Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino has died at the age of 76, her family said.

 

She had been suffering from colon cancer for more than a year and recently announced she was refusing further treatment.

 

Her family had said she was leaving her fate to God, prompting church services offering prayers for her health.

 

Mrs Aquino became president when the 1986 "people power" uprising deposed former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

 

"Our mother peacefully passed away at 0318 [1918 GMT Friday] of cardio-respiratory arrest," Mrs Aquino's son, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, told the media.

 

"She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and the continuous love and support," he said.

 

"It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for the country."

 

Mrs Aquino, who was known as Tita (Aunty) Cory, had been admitted to hospital about a month ago suffering from a loss of appetite related to her condition.

 

In a statement at the time, her family said they remained "in complete trust in God's infinite healing power".

 

"She has and always will be a woman of faith, a fighter, a source of hope and inspiration for all of us, not just her family but our entire nation as well," the statement said.

 

A series of daily masses were held to pray for Mrs Aquino's health, at least one of which was attended by her former political rivals, President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and former first lady Imelda Marcos.

 

Mrs Aquino was catapulted into politics following the murder of her husband, the prominent Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who had been preparing to run for president.

 

He had already spent seven years in prison following President Marcos's declaration of martial law, with his wife as his only contact with the outside world.

 

Mrs Aquino said of her husband's death: "What is more important is that he did not die in vain and that his sacrifice, certainly, awakened the Filipino people from their apathy and indifference."

 

After winning the presidential elections in 1986, she went on to run a country deeply divided after years of martial law and communist insurgency.

 

She battled several coup attempts against her rule, protected the country's fledgling democracy and freed political prisoners.

 

In recent years, she campaigned against former President Estrada, but then reconciled with him to join protests against incumbent President Gloria Arroyo over allegations of vote-rigging and corruption.

 

She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and later received several awards and citations for her work to promote democracy and human rights.

 

 

[SurinBum]

RIP....

[USVirgin]

Very courageous woman.

[CTO]

Didn't realize she was that old - she always looked younger in pics.

 

Why is the Philippines such a mess? People smart - English speaking so many opportunities - look at India Vs Philippines

[Flashermac]

A Filipino friend claims it all began with Marcos. Once he got in, corruption ran rampant ... and still does.

 

Even so I'd always imagined living in the Philippines would be much like Thailand, but Peace Corps vols in the PI told me it certainly was not. Crime was a major problem even in the 1970s, and many PCVs resigned early. LOS, on the other hand, was at the top of the list of countries were the vols extended their service.

 

 

 

[USVirgin]

Can you say, 'corruption?'

 

Just before and after people power, I visited Manila often and stayed with in-laws in North Greenhills, nearby where all that stuff took place, so I remember the era well. Lots of holes from stray bullets came through the ceiling in that house, my kid used to play around the pools at Club Filipino (with like 5 maids chasing her around) where Aquino was sworn in to office. I thought, what a great place to grow up and live. Not sure the in-laws agreed with me, as their business started to go downhill after that.

[USVirgin]

Addendum to my last post. A business depending upon govt. contracts depends upon actually getting paid in a reasonable time frame by the govt.. That was part of the family's business problem.

[CTO]

US - I know that problem too well

[SurinBum]

A Filipino friend claims it all began with Marcos. Once he got in, corruption ran rampant ... and still does.

 

Even so I'd always imagined living in the Philippines would be much like Thailand, but Peace Corps vols in the PI told me it certainly was not. Crime was a major problem even in the 1970s, and many PCVs resigned early. LOS, on the other hand, was at the top of the list of countries were the vols extended their service.

 

 

Unfortunately, Marcos reign would have never lasted for a quarter of a century without the unbridled and evil underwritting and support of their masters in the USA. Post-colonial kickback.

[Old Hippie]

A Filipino friend claims it all began with Marcos. Once he got in, corruption ran rampant ... and still does.

 

Even so I'd always imagined living in the Philippines would be much like Thailand, but Peace Corps vols in the PI told me it certainly was not. Crime was a major problem even in the 1970s, and many PCVs resigned early. LOS, on the other hand, was at the top of the list of countries were the vols extended their service.

 

 

 

 

 

My ex wife (#2), was from Mindanao, while not really political, she now agrees/feels that Marcos ran the place very well. He basically centralized the corruption, now it is every one for them self.

 

Many businesses have pulled out of there, citing corruption, political instability and many other hassles. I knew a girl from HKG, her dad owned a big business, and was considering moving to the PI because of "the 1997 problem" in HKG. Apparently many businesses were. in the end, he decided to stay in HKG and take his chances with the commies...