An icon of democacy has Just Passed away

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Former President Corazon Aquino, people power icon, passes away

08/01/2009 | 05:22 AM

Former President Corazon Aquino flashes the ‘Laban’ sign as she speaks to thousands of people at an anti-Charter change rally on Sept. 21, 1997 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. AP-Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, icon of people power in the Philippines and around the world, passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday, her son, Senator Benigno Aquino III, said. The official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

The 76-year-old Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year and was treated with chemotherapy. Last May, she underwent surgery to remove parts of her colon and was brought to the Makati Medical Center in June due to loss of appetite. She never left the hospital, as her declining condition sparked a wave of emotion in the country and prompted the widespread appearance of yellow ribbons - on trees, car antennas, and even the Web.

“She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country," Senator Aquino said. "Hinihiling ng aming pamilya ng kaunting panahon para makasama ang aming ina."

He added that other details will be announced later in the day.

Dressed in her signature yellow, Mrs. Aquino rallied the middle class in a series of protests culminating in the 1986 people power revolt that toppled the 20-year regime of strongman Ferdinand Marcos and swept her to the presidency.

She blamed the Marcos government for the assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., who was gunned down at the Manila airport upon returning from exile in 1983.

The former housewife reluctantly took over as Marcos’ main challenger, becoming an international icon of democracy after her victory sparked a wave of pro-democracy movements around the world. Time Magazine named Mrs. Aquino its Woman of the Year in 1986.

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Mrs. Aquino succumbed to cardiorespiratory arrest at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center, where she had been confined since last June. She was 76.

"She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country," Mrs. Aquino’s son, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III said in reading a part of the official statement.

Even before the official statement from the Aquino family, news of the former President’s demise started circulating on the Web.

The first tweet to break Mrs. Aquino’s death was posted at 4:40 a.m. by user Jeco_P. “Former President Corazon Aquino just passed away deepest condolences to jiggycruz (grandchild) and your family," the tweet read.- GMANews.TV