By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia conveyed their respect to former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, who passed away yesterday morning.
In a message sent by Lacson, he thanked the former president for his contributions to the people of Negros Occidental, as well as to the country.
Lacson said they acknowledge the accomplishments made by Aquino’s administration, particularly the advancement of the country’s economy, the change in the perception of other countries with regard to corruption, and the fight for our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
“Also, the Negros Island will remember the opportunity he gave us to be one region,” the governor said.
Lacson also said PNoy has been known for his restrained demeanor that translated into his brand of leadership, and it is his legacy.
Leonardia, meanwhile, also paid his respect to the former president. In a statement released by the city mayor yesterday afternoon, he said the people of the city and the whole country woke up to the sad news of Aquino’s demise.
Leonardia said while many of us are still trying to understand and accept the reality of this information, they would like to express that, inasmuch as the Lord has seen fit to take him away, he left behind his selfless dedication to public service for and on behalf of the Filipino people.
Philippine flags in the city, as well as in Negros Occidental have been placed at half-mast yesterday to pay respects to the former president.
Aquino passed away yesterday morning at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City. According to sources close to the former president, Aquino had been undergoing dialysis for the last five months and had also undergone heart surgery.
A press conference by Aquino’s sisters later affirmed the report stating that the former president passed away due to renal failure secondary to diabetes./DGB, WDJ