Ex-President Corazon Aquino diagnosed with Colon Cancer — Family

Update: President Cory Aquino has passed away on August 1, 2009

It is with great sadness that we hear the news from the family itself, that Former President Corazon C. Aquino has been diagnosed with Colon Cancer.  The confirmation was made by TV Host Kris Aquino herself, with her brother, Sen. Noynoy Aquino.  There are no specifics yet as to the extent of the cancer.  The family has requested the public to respect their privacy.

We join this whole country in prayer, in lighting a candle of faith for this lasting icon of Philippine democracy.

Here is an update from inquirer.net, written by Maila Ager:

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Corazon Aquino is suffering from colon cancer and is in a hospital, her family said Monday.

Aquino’s daughter Kris, a people television host and actress, read a statement on television saying the cancer was discovered when the former president went to have a check up.

A weeping Kris, with her brother, Senator Benigno Aquino III beside her, said their family is asking for “compassion and prayers for our Mom’s recovery.”

“Our mother had suffered from an episode of high blood pressure and difficulty in breathing followed by fever during the week in between Christmas and New Year. Since that time, we became concerned because of her consistent cough, loss of appetite and noticeable weight loss,” she said.

“Our mom wanted to know what was wrong with her, and with her family by her side, she submitted herself to a check-up and several tests. The results showed that our mother is suffering cancer of the colon,” she added.

The Aquino family statement said it was the former president who wanted her condition made public because she “has always believed in being upfront. Over and above anything else, she’s a woman who has lived her entire life entrusting everything to the Lord, and she has always been a woman of great faith.”

“Alam po namin na ang buhay ng aming pamilya ay bahagi na ng kasaysayan ng ating bayan. Desisyon po ng nanay namin na mag-release kami ng statement, para maunawaan ng lahat ang kanyang kasalukuyang kalagayan [We know that the life of our family is part of the history of our nation. Our mother has decided to have a statement released so that everyone will understand her present condition],” it added.

At the same time, she also asked that the former president “be accorded her privacy” during a “very difficult time for our family and, most especially our mother.”

“We’re saddened to hear the news about the condition of former president Cory Aquino,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in Malacañang. “We join her family and the rest of the Filipino nation in praying that God give her strength during this time of adversity and we pray for her speedy recovery.”

However, Bunye admitted that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has not yet been informed of Aquino’s condition.

“I’m really sorry. We just have to pray that she’s not very, very serious,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.Aquino, 74, widow of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., became president after a popular uprising ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Her husband was assassinated on his return the country from exile in 1983. The murder gave birth to the protest movement that eventually led to the downfall of the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.

Usually dressed in her trademark yellow in public, she has remained active in social and political causes. Most recently, she has been attending rallies calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (30)