World leaders led by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon continue to express their deep condolences on the demise of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

In a statement, the UN chief extended his "sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the late President and to the Government and people of the Philippines."

Ban paid tribute to Ms. Aquino for her "exceptional courage and pivotal role in the restoration and consolidation of democracy in the Philippines.”

"Mrs. Aquino will be remembered as a beacon of democracy not only in she Philippines but also around the world," Ban said.

The European Commission, the British government and the Chinese government also sent letters of condolences to the people of the Philippines as well as to the Aquino family. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso recalled how honored then European Commission president Jacques Delors was to receive then President Aquino during a state visit in Brussels, Belgium in 1989.

It was also during the time of then President Aquino when the official mission of the European Commission was established in the Philippines, particularly in Manila, in 1991.

Chinese President Hu Jintao had also sent his message of condolences and sympathies on the demise of President Aquino, citing her contributions in the development of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines.

Likewise, the British government, including British Foreign Office Minister of State Ivan Lewis, former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, and British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham expressed their sadness over the death of Ms. Aquino.

Former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown had worked closely with Ms. Aquino during her election campaign.

“As an advisor in her campaign against President Marcos, the privilege of working with Cory and watching her was one of my life's greatest lessons in courage, leadership, the art of politics and humanity. The way she and all her family made such friends of me as an outsider is something I have always treasured,” Brown said.

“The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration,” Beckingham added.

Other members of the diplomatic corps and world leaders who expressed their deep condolences over the demise of former President Aquino include US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, and head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines Ambassador Alistair MacDonald.