Senate honors former President Cory Aquino

The Senate honored former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino with a resolution declaring her as truly worthy of having led the country into democracy.

Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino, more popularly known as "Cory", peacefully joined her Creator on August 1, 2009, at the age of 76.

In a prayer he read at the start of the session, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile extolled the virtues of the late president, recognizing the pivotal role that she played in giving voice to the nation's clamor for democracy against a dictatorial regime.

"Despite our differences, the former President proved that she was a woman worthy of respect. The fact that she was a housewife thrust into taking care of the ills of a nation, she truly deserves the admiration, respect and gratitude of the Filipino people."

Enrile enumerated several accolades given to her by the international community, most notable of which were the following: 1986 Woman of the Year by Time Magazine; the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, also in 1986; Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize in 1987; One of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th century by Time Magazine, and the Women's International Center International Leadership Living Legacy Award in 2006.

"The passing away of former President Aquino, an icon of democracy, a loving wife, a caring mother, and God's gift to the Filipino people, has left the nation she dearly loved and the nation she dearly served, bereft of a shining exemplar of moral leadership, unwavering in faith and dauntless courage" added Enrile.

With deep sadness on her passing, the Senate resolved and approved the resolution acknowledging the late Corazon "Cory" Aquino as a worthy leader of the Filipino people having dedicated her life in the service of the country and of the Filipino.