President Rodrigo Duterte declared 10 days of national mourning for former president Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy' Aquino 3rd, who died Thursday at age 61.

In signing Proclamation 1169, Duterte ordered all flags flown at half-mast in all government offices for 10 days.



Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. urged the public to 'continue to pray and pay respects to the former president who gave his best to serve our nation and our people.'

The country's leaders, his former colleagues in government and former adversaries were among the people who paid tribute to the man and his legacy.

Duterte expressed his deepest sympathies to Aquino's siblings, Maria Elena 'Ballsy' Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon 'Pinky' Aquino-Abellada, Victoria Elisa 'Viel' Aquino-Dee and Kristina Bernadette 'Kris' Aquino, 'in this period of sadness.'

'May you take comfort in the knowledge that he is now in a better place with his Creator,' the President said.

Duterte said Aquino's memory and his family's legacy of offering their lives for the cause of democracy will forever remain etched in our hearts.'

Vice President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo said she was deeply saddened and heartbroken by the news of Aquino's death.

'He was courageous in facing down the systemic ills of society, in dismantling long-entrenched systems of corruption, in standing up for the country in the international stage,' she said.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said that as one of the country's youngest presidents, Aquino 'embarked on a campaign against corruption and abuse as he sought for ways to implement reforms in governance. He adopted programs, which also helped improve key sectors, such our country's education system, social development and poverty eradication as well as our national economy, a number of which have been recognized, if not pursued, by this administration.'

'On a personal note, I remember the former president as a gentleman who always had something nice to say about this representation despite our political and ideological differences,' Panelo said.

Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was jailed over corruption charges in 2012 during Aquino's term, said she and her family 'join the Filipino people in prayers and sympathy on the passing of former President Benigno Aquino 3rd.'

'Aside from his own achievements, he will be remembered as part of the Aquino family that has contributed three important people to the history [of] our nation, Sen. Ninoy Aquino and our 11th and 15th presidents, Cory and Noynoy Aquino,' Arroyo said.

The Liberal Party said the country lost one of the finest examples of what a president should be: someone whose integrity cannot be questioned, who had foresight and will, who never stole, whose actions aligned his words.'

'Under his leadership, systemic corruption that had calcified for generations began to be dismantled,' it said.

Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda 'Imee' Marcos said she will 'always treasure the memories of our long years together as freshmen legislators and members of a tiny opposition.'

'For beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul. He will be deeply missed,' she said in a statement.

The Marcos and the Aquino families had a long history of political dispute, which started during the martial law years.

The Aquino family had accused former president Ferdinand Marcos, Imee's father, of masterminding the killing of former senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., Noynoy's father.

Sen. Ana Theresia 'Risa' Hontiveros said she regarded Aquino as 'a dear friend and I loved him like a brother.'

Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto 3rd, said, 'No matter what political side you're on, when a former president passes away, the country mourns. His death diminishes us all.'

The Philippine flag at the Senate will be at half-staff for 10 days as mandated by Republic Act 8491 to mourn the passing of a sitting or former president.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said, '[T]he nation has lost a gentleman who served his country well - with all honesty and sincerity and with the purest of intentions.' He and Aquino were Liberal partymates.

Sen. Panfilo 'Ping' Lacson said it was 'indeed a privilege to have served with him - both in the Senate and the Executive Department, but more than that, to be his friend.'

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri said that through Aquino's time as 'congressman, as senator and eventually as president, he was able to balance the weight of being an Aquino - carrying all the history of the name and all the expectations that came with it - while also carving a path for himself.'

Sen. Mary Grace Poe said Aquino had shown the nation the importance of possessing the good qualities of a leader: respectful of his fellowmen, with clean intentions to serve and 'not hungry for power.'

Sen. Richard 'Dick' Gordon said 'President Aquino and I may not have agreed on some issues, but we both have the same dream of making our country great and believe that as a nation, we should assert and defend our sovereignty over what is rightfully ours.'

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the 'entire House of Representatives would like to extend its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. The nation mourns with you and celebrates the life of a man who dedicated his service to the country as a three-term representative of the second district of Tarlac... senator and president of the Republic of the Philippines.'

House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez joined the nation in mourning the former president's death.

House Minority Leader and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said Aquino 'will be remembered for his good leadership and incorruptible character. One who had served the country with his whole heart and left public office with dignity.'

Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman said Aquino was one of the pillars of the nation and a true friend.

Deputy Speaker Eduardo 'Bro. Eddie' Villanueva said Aquino's 'inspirational leadership spurred the nation to walk the path of Daang Matuwid. He improved the lives of many and led the country valiantly through difficult times.'

Aambis-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin extended his 'deepest sympathies to the family of former president Noynoy Aquino whose brand of governance fostered transparency, inclusivity, and progress.'

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda said she mourns Aquino's 'sudden passing but, at the same time, we would also like to express our gratitude for the service that he rendered as a public servant and his contributions for the betterment of the Filipino people.'

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman recalled Aquino as the president who 'put aside partisanship' when he endorsed and approved 'landmark statutes,' 'notwithstanding the fact that I was their principal author representing the opposition.'

Agusan Del Norte First District Rep. Lawrence Fortun said the passing of Aquino was 'not an occasion for partisan matters of political divide.'

'Let this be a moment of reflection - and also - celebration of a life well-lived. Like all presidents duly elected in free and democratic elections, he was president of the entire Filipino nation,' he said.

Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher 'Kit' Belmonte wrote on Twitter that the country 'lost a true statesman and public servant in the passing of former president Benigno Aquino 3rd.'

Deputy Speaker Strike Revilla, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente 'Joey' Salceda and Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor extended their condolences to the Aquino family.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the whole department is joining the whole country in grieving the death of Aquino.

'Serving as our country's leader from 2010-2016, President Aquino advocated the strengthening of our defense and security capabilities to support national development,' Lorenzana said.

'As commander-in-chief, he recognized the importance of equipping our military to better respond to the evolving domestic and regional security challenges,' Lorenzana said.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana ordered flags in all military camps flown at half-staff in Aquino's honor.

Several mayors also condoled with the Aquino family.

'As an honest public servant, former president Noynoy defended the 'Daang Matuwid' program and ensured better service of the government, as well as giving support to all Filipinos,' Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano thanked Aquino 'for serving our country well as president and for all the help he has extended to our people during his presidency.'

Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay remembers the 'deep bond' her family had with the Aquinos.

'I am saddened by the news of former president Noynoy Aquino's death. He has dedicated the best years of his life to the country and to public service, and for this we are grateful,' Binay said.

Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso said Aquino 'championed good governance reforms that promoted efficiency and reduced opportunities for corruption.'

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the city government 'is one with the nation in praying for the eternal repose of the soul of former President Benigno Aquino 3rd.'

Quezon City Mayor Josefina 'Joy' Belmonte said Aquino played a key role in strengthening the country's economic foundations and was instrumental in solidifying institutional processes such as conditional cash transfer programs, bottom-up budgeting procedures, and universal health care services. Moreover, he became a symbol of good governance, anti-corruption and full transparency in government.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd was 'saddened by the loss of a former president who has served the country in the best possible way that he could, and I am sure the lives that the people that he touched will be saddened by this shocking news.'

Former senator Paolo Benigno 'Bam' Aquino 4th, said his heart is broken over his cousin's passing.

'Nadurog ang puso ko sa paglisan ni PNoy sa atin (My heart is broken when PNoy left us),' he sent to his social media platforms. 'Sa mga susunod na oras, maraming sasabihin tungkol sa kanya, iba totoo, iba hindi. Pero ito ang masasabi ko, lahat ibinigay niya para sa Pilipino. Wala siyang itinira (In the next few hours, there will be a lot said about him - some true, and some not. But this is what I want to say, he gave his all for the Filipino. No one was left behind).'

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. tweeted his tribute for Aquino.

'I'm out of Twitter from grief over the death of a sea-green incorruptible, brave under armed attack, wounded in crossfire, indifferent to power and its trappings, and ruled our country with a puzzling coldness but only because he hid his feelings so well it was thought he had none; it was the way he and his siblings were raised by a great woman [former President Corazon Aquino] - their mother and of our restored democracy (without her none in power yesterday and today would be),' Locsin said.

Television personality Korina Sanchez-Roxas, wife of former interior secretary Manuel 'Mar' Roxas 2nd, thanked the former president on her Instagram account.

WITH CATHERINE S. VALENTE, CURRIE CATOR. ARIC JOHN SY CUA, CHRISTIAN CROW MAGHANOY, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO, KEITH CALAYAG, REINA C. TOLENTINO. DEMPSEY REYES, ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES, KAITHREEN CRUZ, LEA DEVIO, ARLIE O. CALALO, JOMAR CANLAS, AND RED MENDOZA