Malacañang on Thursday expressed its condolences to the 'untimely demise' of former president Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy' Aquino earlier this morning at the age of 61.
"We commiserate and condole with the family and loved ones of former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as we extend our condolences on his untimely demise," Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.
"We’re grateful for the former President for his contribution and services to the country and we ask our people to offer a prayer for the eternal repose of the former chief executive. Rest in peace, Mr. President," he added.
Aquino, the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., served as the 15th president of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016.
Philippine flags in Malacañang have only flown half-mast around 2:00 PM, which is a mark of respect for a significant government official who died.
Aquino died at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, said a source who served as a senior Cabinet official during the administration of the late former president Corazon Aquino.
