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MANILA, Philippines — Roman Catholic bishops and political leaders across the Philippines offered prayers on Tuesday for former president and democracy icon Corazon “Cory” Aquino after her family announced she was battling colon cancer.
The 75-year-old Aquino has started treatment, but no details were available. Her family asked the media to respect the family’s privacy.
Daughter Kris, her voice breaking, read a statement on live television Monday saying her mother had gone in for tests after suffering from high blood pressure, difficult breathing and fever during the Christmas holidays, then a persistent cough, loss of appetite and weight loss.
“The result showed our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon,” she said. “We ask you for your compassion and prayers for our mom’s recovery.”
Support for Aquino came from all walks of life.
A Mass was scheduled later Tuesday in a Manila Catholic seminary, and the head of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Angel Lagdameo, said he will send his personal assurances of prayer to the former leader.
“The whole country prays for her because at the crucial time in the country’s history, she stood for democracy and led the country to people power,” said a prominent Jesuit priest, Romeo Intengan.
In Cebu, lawyer Democrito Barcenas, who was appointed by Aquino in 1986 as Cebu vice governor officer-in-charge, said Aquino, an irreplaceable icon, needs the moral support and prayers from everyone.
After stepping down in 1992, Aquino has remained active in social and political causes. Most recently, she has been attending rallies calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over allegations of vote-rigging and corruption.
Aquino had originally backed Arroyo when she herself was swept to power in the country’s second “people power” revolt that toppled Estrada in 2001.
After her husband, opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., was gunned down at the Manila airport upon returning from exile in 1983, Aquino challenged then president Ferdinand Marcos in snap elections three years later.
Amid accusations of fraud, the military brass mutinied, and hundreds of thousands of demonstrators swept Aquino to power on February 25.
Marcos fled the country and died in Hawaii in 1989. Aquino held office until 1992, surviving at least six coup attempts. /AP with Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan
