r, her children said Monday, asking the country to pray for the 74-year-old’s speedy recovery. Aquino’s children had prevailed on her to consult a doctor after she showed signs of weakness.
“The results show our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon,” her daughter, Kristina Bernadette Aquino, said in a televised statement, with her senator brother, Benigno, by her side.
“It’s a very difficult time for our family, most especially for our mother. We respectfully ask that she be accorded her privacy.”
Aquino was swept into power by a popular 1986 revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos after his 20-year rule.
Her tumultuous presidency was marked by several bloody coup attempts, but she successfully transferred the reins of power to Fidel Ramos in 1992.
Aquino’s husband Benigno Aquino, the namesake of her senator son and the arch enemy of Marcos, was gunned down at Manila airport in 1983 after returning home from exile in the United States.
His death eventually led to the unravelling of Marcos. Two of Marcos’ trusted aides eventually turned against him, leading to the 1986 revolt.
Marcos died in exile in Hawaii in 1989.
A devout church-goer, Aquino has remained a political force in this largely Roman Catholic country and her stand on critical issues often helps form public opinion.
In 2001, she openly campaigned against Joseph Estrada to be removed from the presidency over corruption.
Like in 1986, Estrada left the presidential palace in disgrace. He was condemned to life imprisonment but subsequently pardoned.
Aquino has recently challenged incumbent president Gloria Arroyo to step down after her family was linked to corruption surrounding a telecoms deal with a hinese firm.
Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the presidential palace was “saddened” by the news, and the president “hopes for strength for her in face of adversity.”
“We hope for her speedy recovery,” Bunye said.
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