A day after she was laid to rest, leaders from around the world continued to pay tribute to the Philippine “icon of democracy,” President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

In a letter sent to Malacañang through British Ambassador Peter Beckingham, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom said, "I am saddened to hear of the death of Corazon 'Cory' Aquino, the former President of the Republic of the Philippines. I send my sincere condolences to her family and to the people of the Philippines.”

In a statement, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith cited Aquino as a “much respected figure in Australia.”

“Australia is a long-standing friend and partner of the Philippines, and is fortunate to count among its citizens many who have come from the Philippines. Our thoughts are with Mrs. Aquino’s family and the people of the Philippines as they mourn her loss," Smith said.

In another statement, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner, said Mrs. Aquino “will go down in history as an icon in the fight for democracy and human rights.”

International Labor Organization (ILO) Director General Juan Somavia sent a letter of condolence to the Aquino family and the Filipino people, which said Mrs. Aquino “drew strength from personal tragedy and confronted the challenge of championing democracy, progress, and justice in the most difficult of circumstances.”

After the former president’s death last Saturday, world leaders led by United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon conveyed their sympathies and condolences, saying that Mrs. Aquino will be remembered for her humility and simplicity as well as her determination to restore Philippine democracy.

Her memorial service Wednesday was attended by foreign dignitaries, including Timor Leste President Jose Ramos – Horta.

Meanwhile, a senior Catholic prelate Thursday said he is open to the idea of sainthood for President Corazon Aquino.

In an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas 846, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles he sees nothing wrong if Aquino is made into a saint.

During her wake and funeral, some groups floated the idea of sainthood for Mrs. Aquino for her contributions to the country and the kind of life she led.

“Definitely she’s a saint. After what she did, I’m sure she’s already in heaven,” Arguelles said.

During the mass for her at the Manila Cathedral, he recalled the life of Saint Thomas Moore.

“Saint Thomas Moore was a great politician who said: ‘I am the faithful subject of the King but, of God first.’ Cory is the female and Asian version of Saint Thomas Moore,” said Arguelles. But the final arbiter on sainthood for Cory is God, he said.

Defensor: Let people decide on Cory as national hero

A senior administration congressman Thursday urged colleagues in the House to let history and Filipinos decide whether or not the late President Aquino should be counted among the country’s national heroes.

“I don’t think being a national hero needs the imprimatur of Congress,” Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor Jr. told reporters in reaction to House Joint Resolution No. 42 which seeks to declare President Aquino as a national hero.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minority Leaders Roilo Golez and Satur Ocampo said the National Historical Institute is in a better position to conduct a study and make recommendations to proposals declaring the country’s democracy icon a national hero.

Authored by Representatives Rodolfo Plaza (NPC, Agusan del Norte) and Liwayway Vinzons-Chato (LP, Camarines Norte), the resolution seeks recognize the late President a national hero for her contributions to the restoration of democracy in the country.

The resolution is expected to be approved on third and final reading when session resumes Monday.

Defensor said Aquino ranks high among his personal heroes but Congress need not issue a declaration making her a national hero.

Congress should leave such decision to “generations of Filipinos” to come, he said.

“General Emilio Aguinaldo and (President Ramon Magsaysay) became heroes even without congressional imprimatur. You make a hero because the Filipino people in all generations will consider a hero a hero,” Defensor told reporters during the Usaping Balita News Forum at Serye Café in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Ocampo said he would study the measure closely.

Ocampo said he believes the martyrdom demonstrated by Aquino’s late husband Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. can be an example of heroism.

However, he pointed out that the late president was able to “defend the gains” of People Power I and emerged as a source of inspiration for those fighting for freedom and democracy.

Golez said that in contemporary history, Aquino’s popularity can be compared to those of former South African President Nelson Mandela and Burma democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Only one person can approximate her popularity and command of world attention – Nelson Mandela. Also perhaps, Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Golez.

In the Senate, Senators Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, and Rodolfo Biazon came out in support of efforts in the House for Congress to declare Mrs. Aquino a national hero.

Cayetano said the idea of having Mrs. Aquino, an icon of Philippine democracy, as national hero is “well-grounded and well-deserved.”