Former Senator Mar Roxas credited former President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III for improving the economy and instituting good governance, both measures, he said, earned the respect of the world during his presidency.
“You did all that you could and left things so much better than how you found them,” said Roxas in a statement to honor PNoy who died on Thursday morning due to renal failure secondary to diabetes.
“Our country moved up and was respected all over the world . It’s all anyone can ask,” he added.
During Aquino’s term, the Philippines earned good economic ratings which improved the economic standing of the country from being labeled before as the Sick Man of Asia.
Aquino was also recognized as an incorruptible leader who aggressively fought corruption during his term from 2010 to 2016. Before he was elected during the 2010 elections, the Philippines was then reeling on corruption allegations.
PNoy also sent several high-ranking government officials to jail, including a former president and three senators. All of them are now out of detention.
Roxas, who served as the head of the then Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC, now Department of Transportation) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, was endorsed by Aquino as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party for the 2016 polls.
The Liberal Party was then running on a campaign platform of continuity of economic development and good governance.
“We are proud of you as would be your Mom and Dad. Damo gid nga salamat. Halong. (Thank you. Take care). We miss you already,” said Roxas in a statement.