MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino paid tribute to his cousin, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, on Wednesday, which marked the fifth anniversary of his passing, reflecting on his unwavering commitment to good governance, the fight against corruption, and public service.
“Now that our country is facing so many corruption issues, we miss a leader like P-Noy even more,” Senator Aquino said in a statement, referring to the late president’s strong anti-corruption stance and efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government.
Noynoy, the only son of democracy icons Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, passed away on June 24, 2021. His cause of death was listed as renal disease secondary to diabetes.
The senator noted that Noynoy’s anticorruption campaign “helped restore public trust in government, strengthen investor confidence, and contribute to the country’s sustained economic growth.”
“With his leadership, he showed that a government that is clean, honest, and where only the welfare of the people is important is possible,” added Aquino, who attended a Holy Mass at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City to commemorate Noynoy’s death anniversary.
READ: P-Noy remembered: Self-effacing President made a difference
In a Facebook post, the senator said the former president’s example “continues to inspire Filipinos to pursue public service rooted in integrity, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others.”
P-Noy’s belief
“There are public servants who are remembered for their words. There are also those who are remembered for the impact their service has on the lives of others,” he added.
“Each of us has the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This is P-Noy’s belief. Every day of his tenure as President, he worked with integrity,” the senator said.
READ: No ‘meddling’ from Noynoy Aquino: Senators remember a ‘good man’
According to him, the late president’s legacy serves as a reminder that “the true measure of public service lies not in recognition or accolades, but in the positive and lasting change one leaves behind.”
Senator Aquino emphasized that Noynoy dedicated himself to creating lasting reforms and positive change for future generations, ensuring that the country would be in a better condition than when he first assumed office.
He said that aside from Noynoy’s fight against corruption, his other key achievement was the elimination of the 66,000-classroom backlog he inherited from the Arroyo government.
In total, 118,000 new classrooms were built during Noynoy’s presidency, the senator said. /cb /atm
