VICE President Maria Leonor 'Leni' Robredo on Thursday said she was deeply heartbroken as she joined the nation in mourning the death of former president Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino 3rd.

Aquino, popularly known as PNoy, led the Liberal Party (LP) with Robredo. He was the chairman emeritus, while Robredo is the chairman.

'Nakakadurog ng puso ang balitang wala na si PNoy (My heart broke over the news that PNoy has passed away),' the vice president posted on Twitter.

Robredo recalled Aquino as a good friend and an honest president of the country.

'He tried to do what was right, even when it was not popular. Tahimik at walang pagod siyang nagtrabaho para makatulong sa marami (He silently and tirelessly worked to help the Filipino people),' she said.

The vice president extended her condolences to the family of the former chief executive, saying he will be missed.

Aquino' was rushed to the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City on Thursday morning for undisclosed reasons. His family has yet to issue a statement.

Aquino, 61, was the 15th president of the Philippines. He was the son of democracy icons former president Corazon Aquino and late senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr.

Before serving as the chairman emeritus of the LP, Aquino was the chairman of the same party from 2010 to 2016.