The Philippine Government announced yesterday the 10-day national mourning for the late former President Corazon Aquino who passed away yesterday morning at 3:18 am in Makati Medical Center. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from working visit to New York announced the following:

“Today, the Philippines lost a national treasure. Cory Aquino helped lead a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril.

Our nation will mourn her passing.

History was thrust upon her when her noble husband was cut down in the prime of his life as he fought for democracy and the rule of law. She picked up the standard from the fallen warrior, Ninoy, and helped lead our nation to a brighter day.

I am announcing today that we will officially observe a ten day period of national mourning.

Our hearts go out to the family in this hour of grief and sorrow. The nation prays for Cory and her family.”

It was announced by Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III that it was his mom’s wish to forego a state funeral. He said, her mom was more concerned on the state funeral expenses of the Philippine Government. They decided on a private funeral at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City. The public viewing began at 5pm Saturday and will continue until Monday. The daily viewing schedule will be until 4 a.m., and will resume at 7 a.m.

The Philippine flags in the archipelago are already half mast shortly after the declaration of 10-day period of mourning.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops also offering the traditional “volley of fire”. A volley of fire is an eight successive cannon shots meant to honor presidents and commanders-in-chief who pass away. It is done every 30 minutes from daybreak until nightfall.

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