On Cory’s passing, Celso: Zambo joins nation in mourning
Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday ordered the flying of the Philippine flag at
City Hall and other city government offices at half mast in honor of former President Corazon Aquino who passed away shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday due to cardiac arrest.
“Zamboanga joins the entire nation in mourning the death of former President Aquino,” the mayor said, as he revealed that proper coordination have also been made with Archbishop Romulo Valles for the scheduling of masses in local churches for the late president.
The City Council, Lobregat said is also set to pass a resolution expressing condolences to the bereaved family of the late president who is considered the icon of democracy.
“It was President Cory who galvanized the opposition against the regime of then President Marcos and she was very instrumental and guiding light in restoring democracy in our country”, the mayor said.
As soon as arrangements for the wake and interment will be finalized, the chief executive will proceed to Manila to pay his last respects on the president both on his personal and official capacity.
Lobregat recalled that it was during the time of the late President Cory when the first elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were held which resulted to the re-composition of four provinces in Mindanao. “After the first ARMM elections, the regions in Mindanao were reorganized and that was the time when the Executive Order transferring the regional center from Zamboanga City to Pagadian was signed”.
While he was not yet in politics at that time, Lobregat remembered that then President Aquino prioritized Mindanao by initiating measures to restore peace in the area.
Meanwhile, other agencies in government based in the city including non-government organizations, local universities and other sectors have initiated activities to mourn the death of Mrs. Aquino, the country’s 11th and first woman president.
The 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force based at the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Sta. Maria held the firing of 1 round of 105 canon blank ammunition every 30 minutes stating 11 a.m. up to 5 p.m. yesterday.
Local churches offered masses and other groups led the lighting of candles in the streets and in their houses at 6:30 last night. Other groups also initiated the tying of yellow ribbons on trees, on posts and in front of houses. (Sheila Covarrubias)