MANILA, Philippines – US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton sent a note to the family of former President Corazon Aquino wishing her a fast recovery from colon cancer, Washington’s envoy to Manila said.
United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney said she handed over Clinton’s letter to the Aquino family on Wednesday.
On the same day, Kenney attended a healing mass for the world democracy icon at the Manila City Hall on Wednesday, which was organized by city Mayor Alfredo Lim.
“I am here for a special reason, because not just myself and the government of the United States but several millions of Americans are praying for President Cory. I am here to represent them,” Kenney told reporters.
“I also brought today to the Aquino family a personal letter from US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to President Cory wishing her a fast recovery,” Kenney said.
“I think she (Aquino) has many contributions. One is for being strong in the face of adversity, and being true to her beliefs in freedom and liberty and certainly her faith as well. She's always for Filipinos first. These are great contributions not only for leaders, but for many Filipino citizens,” the envoy added.
Aquino is battling stage 4 colon cancer. On Tuesday night, she called all of her five children to her bedside, her youngest daughter, television host Kris Aquino, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).
The former president’s spokesperson, Deedee Siytangco said after the mass in Manila that Aquino was “stable” and her vital signs were “okay” even as her appetite had not improved.
Siytangco also cautioned the public against rumors on Aquino’s health.
“I know the public needs to know, but if there are rumors -- I know there are -- just ignore it, unless you hear it from us,” she said.
Apart from City Hall officials and employees, most of whom came dressed in Aquino's signature yellow, former Malacañang protocol officer Miguel Perez Rubio and former Senate President Franklin Drilon, also attended the mass.
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