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Bello extols PNoy, calls him 'great' despite being 'simple'

Philippines | National

Bello extols PNoy, calls him 'great' despite being 'simple'

By Ellson Quismorio

A simple yet great president.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III (left) and former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Photo credits: Zoom meeting screengrab, Facebook page of Noynoy Aquino)

That's how Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III described the late former President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III in a statement on Friday, June 25.

"I join the Filipino nation in grieving the passing of former President Benigno Aquino III," Bello said.

"I may have missed the opportunity to serve under his administration, but our close acquaintance during the presidency of his mother, President Cory, revealed the person in him which he exhibited throughout his term as President of the Republic," he noted.

"Noynoy was simple, straightforward and pragmatic. His exercise of prudence in public spending was a mark of the person and the legacy of his administration. The Filipino people will not forget a great President in Noynoy," the 76-year-old Bello said.

Bello served as Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary from 1991 to 1992, or during the final two years of Cory Aquino's presidency.

The younger Aquino, who is a former House of Representatives member and senator, followed in his mother's footsteps by becoming chief executive in 2010. He was succeeded by President Duterte in 2016.

Although Bello wasn't appointed in government between 2010 and 2016, he was elected to a House seat in 2013 as a representative of 1-BANAT & AHAPO Party-List.

"PNoy" died on Thursday morning due to complications from diabetes. He was 61.

Related Tags

62521 benigno simeon aquino iii Silvestre Bello III Noynoy PNoy dole

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