Ex-Philippine President Aquino suffering from cancer
Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino has colon cancer, her daughter said today.
Aquino, 74, was swept into power by the peaceful “people power” revolt that ousted late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, cementing her as an icon of democracy.
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.
Kris Aquino, fighting tears, read a statement on live television that said her mother had gone in for tests after suffering from high blood pressure and difficulty breathing during the Christmas and New Year holidays, then a persistent cough and weight loss.
“The result showed our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon,” she said.
“We know that the life of our family is already part of our country’s history. It was our mother’s decision for us to come out with this statement. Our mother, like all patients ... needs time to rest. We respectfully ask she be accorded her privacy. We ask you for your compassion and prayers for our mom’s recovery.”
