Aside from her humility and simplicity, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will remember the late former President Corazon Aquino as a champion of human rights. IOM regional representative Charles Harnes recalled Aquino’s “self sacrifice” and her “dedication to human rights, especially to the human rights of refugees.”

Harnes was among the members of the Diplomatic Corps who have signed in the Book of Condolences at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) since it opened Tuesday.

The Book of Condolences is a diplomatic tradition received for the heads of governments, heads of states, foreign ministers and officials of high stature.

“[Aquino] was very much a leader, making sure the migrants are taken care of,” Harnes said.

More than 20 Ambassadors have formally signed the Book of Condolences at the DFA. The Book of Condolences at the DFA will be open until August 10 and will be turned over to the Aquino family.

“On behalf of DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo, we would like to thank the members of the diplomatic community who signed the book of condolences to formally express their governments’ and people’s grief and sympathies to the Aquino family and the Filipino nation,” DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya said.

Since the Book of Condolences has been open, the Diplomatic Corps, led by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams had already signed the Book of Condolences as well as the Ambassadors of Cambodia, China, Finland, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil, Switzerland, Sweden, Libya, Mexico, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Cuba, United Kingdom, France, Iran, Thailand, Iraq, Japan, and Pakistan, among others.

Foreign dignitaries were also present during memorial services and internment of the former president, with Timor Leste President Jose Ramos–Horta flying in to the country on Wednesday morning to attend the memorial services and interment of President Aquino.