Yagami Website

MANILA - The French government issued its heartfelt condolences to the family and the Filipino people on the death of former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

“I was very shocked and extremely sad to learn of the death of Corazon Aquino, a former president of the Philippines,” said Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.

In a statement, Kouchner said President Aquino played a crucial role in the return of democracy to the Philippines.
“She got through the ordeal of her husband's assassination with exemplary courage and continued relentlessly and successfully waging their common battle for justice and freedom,” said Kouchner.

President Aquino’s husband Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was assassinated in 1983 while he was disembarking from a plane at the Manila International Airport. The airport was later renamed after him in his honor.

“She will go down in history as an icon in the fight for democracy and human rights. I express to her family, her close friends and the Philippine government and people my heartfelt condolences,” Kouchner said.

During her younger years, the former president went to major in French and mathematics at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City when her family moved to the United States after the war.

On August 1, 2009, President Aquino succumbed to colon cancer. Her death shook not only the nation, but also the international community that she inspired after reclaiming democracy in a bloodless revolution in 1986.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos braved the rain and joined the funeral march that would bring the remains of President Aquino to her final resting place, beside her husband at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City.