The Aquino family has released their official statement on the passing of their brother, former Philippine president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, this Thursday morning, June 24. He was 61.

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In their statement, sisters Ballsy, Viel, Pinky, and Kris Aquino confirmed that their brother died "peacefully in his sleep", and that his death certificate noted his death at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday due to renal disease, secondary to diabetes.

Photo source: canadianinquirer.net

The statement, which was read to the press by Pinky Aquino Abellada, said: "Kagaya ng serbisyong binigay niya sa bayan—hindi maingay, trabahong galing sa puso, dahil alam niya, kayo ang boss niya. Kaya nga nakilala siya bilang si PNoy, dahil ayaw niyang maramdaman na dapat siyang bigyan ng kakaibang pansin. Hangarin niyang hindi mapahiya sa inyo dahil sa paghikayat na mahirap man pero tama na sundin ang daang matuwid. Nagawa niya ang lahat ng iyon.

"Masakit po para sa amin na tahimik niyang tinanggap ang mga batikos. Natatak sa aming mga kapatid na noong sinabihan namin siyang magsalita at labanan ang mga maling haka-haka, simple lang ang sagot niya sa amin: kaya pa niyang matulog sa gabi. Hinarap niya ang lahat ng imbestigasyon at akusasyon. Sandiganbayan November 2017, Senado noong December 2017, at Kongreso noong February 2018. Because when you enter public service, when you serve with honesty and dignity, and you know you have committed no crime against the people, hindi ka matatakot magsabi ng totoo."

Noynoy served as the 15th president of the Philippines, from 2010 to 2016. He was succeeded by current president Rodrigo "Digong" Roa Duterte.

Describing their brother as a "private" person, the Aquino family revealed that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, their brother had been in and out of the hospital due to his illness.

"Nais naming magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga doktor at sa buong medical team na nag-alaga sa kapatid namin. Naramdaman namin bilang mga kapatid niya that they did everything to make him comfortable. They became compassionate friends who gave him true respect by valuing and protecting his privacy," the Aquinos said.

"Sa lahat ng totoong kaibigan niya na walang palya siyang dinadalaw, tine-text, pinapadalhan ng pagkain, sinasamahan at pinoprotektahan siya, salamat po. Sa mga madre at pari na malapit sa pamilya namin na walang sawang pinagdasal ang kanyang paggaling, salamat din po. Sa tropa niya, kay Ivy, at siguro ang numero uno sa listahan, si Yolly, na 30 years siyang inalagaan, lahat ng kasama niya sa Times Street na mula noong pandemic, bihirang nag-o-off dahil alam nila delikado para sa kanya, salamat.

“Sa mga botante ng second district ng Tarlac noong 1998, kayo ang unang bumoto sa kanya. Sa inyo siya nagsimula, three terms ang nabuo niya. Sa 14.3 million Filipinos na noong 2007 voted for him to become senator, and sa 15.2 million Filipinos na nagtiwala sa kanya noong 2010 at binigay ang pinakamalaking karangalan na pwedeng ipagkaloob na kahit na sinong Pilipino, habang buhay naming tatanawin na utang na loob 'yung naibigay ninyo sa aming kapatid. Maraming, maraming salamat po," they added.

To end their statement, the Aquino sisters said they are blessed to have had the privilege to have had Noynoy as their brother.

"No words can express how broken our hearts are and how long it will take for us to accept the reality that he is gone. Mission accomplished ka, Noy. Be happy now with dad and mom. We love you and we are so blessed to have had the privilege to have had you as our brother. We will miss you forever, Noy," they said.

LOOK: Kris Aquino gives a peek of reunion with family, brother Noynoy

Noynoy was the only son of slain senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former Philippine president Corazon "Cory" Aquino.

Shortly after his death, local celebrities such as Charo Santos, Liza Soberano, Janine Gutierrez, Ogie Alcasid, Enchong Dee, and Zsa Zsa Padilla took to social media to send their messages of sympathy and prayers to the Aquino family.