The Philippine Senate, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, expressed on Saturday its deepest sympathy and condolence to the bereaved children of former President Corazon C. Aquino who passed away at 3:18 a.m. Saturday after a long battle with colon cancer.

“The demise of President Aquino is not only a loss to her loved ones, but is also an immense loss to the entire nation as well,” Enrile said. One of the Aquino children is Sen. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, the only son of Mrs. Aquino and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

“President Aquino’s contribution to the well-being of the country cannot be measured by mere words, structures and monuments for she has done much, much more. She played the key role in this nation’s struggle for freedom, and she has done noble service in the restoration of democracy in our society,” he said.

“Although by twist of fate, we have had differences and disagreements in politics, I have always held President Aquino in high regard and great respect as a worthy leader of our people. As a Filipino, and as a former member of her Cabinet, I believe the nation owes her much, having sacrificed her life in the service of our people. She has truly deserves the prayers, respect, admiration and appreciation of the Filipino people,” he said.

Senator Manuel Villar Jr. said, “The overflowing amount of prayers and support that Filipinos from all walks of life – from the slum dwellers to the members of the working class and the elite society – are truly a testament as to how much Cory was loved and how deep was her impact to all of us. In life and in death, she is a unifying presence.”

Villar said that many would remember her as the grieving widow of Ninoy Aquino who launched the People Power phenomenon – a peaceful and bloodless revolution that the whole world is still in awe of until now.

“But more than an icon of democracy and a great Filipino, Cory was a devoted wife, a dedicated mother, a doting lola, and a dear friend to many. Our family’s prayer is for them to find healing and comfort with the grace of God.  The same kind of dignified courage she demonstrated in her presidency, was the same kind of courage she displayed throughout her battle with colon cancer. And how is free of pain and will join her Creator,” he said.

Senator Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas II, said that “Tita Cory joins the ranks of the greatest freedom fighters of the last and current century – Gandhi, Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, among several others who have devoted their life and being to principle that there is nothing more precious than the llberty and dignity of human beings.”

Roxas said his father, the late Sen. Gerry Roxas, and the late Senator Aquino were part of the LP triumvirate (Aquino, Roxas, and former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga) that put up a spirited fight against the Marcos regime. On all sides of their respective family trees, the Aquinos and the Roxases have enjoyed very close generational ties.

Senator Loren Legarda said the death of President Aquino “should serve to remind us of the kind of courage and unity we should show amid lingering threats to our collective freedom.”

“Her death and the sacrifices she made for the Filipino people will have greater meaning if we stop relying on icons of democracy to do what we can as a people, one and united. That’s the greatest tribute we can give her,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said he joins the nation in expressing deepest condolences to the family of former President Aquino.