Manila: Philippine democracy icon and former President Corazon Aquino died Saturday after battling colon cancer for more than a year, her family said. She was 76.
Cory, as people fondly called her, had been hospitalized in the Makati Medical Centre in Manila since late June after her health deteriorated and the cancer spread to other parts of her body.
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3.18 a.m. Augt 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said.
"She would have wanted us to thank each and everyone of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support," he added. "It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country."
All of Aquino`s five children were at her bedside, according to close family friend Boy Abunda.
"Her kids were praying the rosary when she peacefully passed away," he told reporters outside the hospital. "They were praying the Sorrowful Mystery when she breathed her last."
"Everyone quietly cried," he added.
Abunda said Aquino was "basically asleep most of the time" for the last few days before her death.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo mourned the death of Aquino, who was critical of Arroyo`s administration and expressed regret over supporting a mass uprising that catapulted her to the presidency in 2001.
Arroyo was in the US on an official visit when Aquino passed away.
"(On) behalf of a grateful nation, President Arroyo extends her most sincere condolences to the family of the late president," her spokesman Cerge Remonde said in a radio message from the US.
"A period of national mourning will be formally declared in honour of the late President Aquino," he added.
Remonde said Arroyo would discuss with her delegation if she would should cut short her trip and immediately return to the Philippines. She was scheduled to return Wednesday.
Early masses were offered for the repose of Aquino, who led a four-day bloodless "people power" revolution in 1986 that toppled the dictatorship of the late Ferdinand Marcos.
Filipinos in and outside the Philippines had been offering prayer vigils and masses for Aquino since she was hospitalized.
Yellow ribbons were also tied on street lamps, trees, fences and buildings throughout the Philippines. Yellow was Aquino`s symbol in her fight against Marcos.
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