Benigno Aquino III

Noynoy Aquino was born as Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III{{Cite news |last1=Mydans |first1=Seth |last2=Goldman |first2=Russell |date=June 23, 2021 |title=Benigno S. Aquino III, 61, Former President of the Philippines, Dies |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/world/asia/benigno-aquino-III-dead.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627223220/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/23/world/asia/benigno-aquino-III-dead.html |archive-date=June 27, 2021}} on February 8, 1960, at Far Eastern University Hospital in Sampaloc, Manila.{{Cite news |last1=Ismael |first1=Javier Joe |last2=Maghanoy |first2=Christian Crow |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Former president Noynoy Aquino dies |work=The Manila Times |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/24/news/former-president-noynoy-aquino-dies/1804449 |url-status=live |access-date=June 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627221250/https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/24/news/former-president-noynoy-aquino-dies/1804449 |archive-date=June 27, 2021}} He is the third of the five children of Benigno Aquino Jr., who was then the vice governor of Tarlac, and Corazon Cojuangco, daughter of prominent Tarlac businessman José Cojuangco. He has four sisters, namely: Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Elisa, and actress Kristina Bernadette. He attended the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City for his elementary, high school, and college education.{{Cite news |date=September 9, 2009 |title=The son also rises: Who is Noynoy Aquino? |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/171863/news/nation/the-son-also-rises-who-is-noynoy-aquino |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316224329/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/171863/news/nation/the-son-also-rises-who-is-noynoy-aquino |archive-date=March 16, 2012}}

Aquino finished his Bachelor of Arts (major in economics) degree from the Ateneo in 1981. Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, his eventual predecessor, was one of his professors at the university.{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2012 |title=Arroyo to Aquino: It's the Economy, Student |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/126851/arroyo-gets-back-at-aquino |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204547/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/126851/arroyo-gets-back-at-aquino |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

In September 1972, his father, a senator and prominent opposition leader to President Ferdinand Marcos, was arrested for subversion. In August 1973, Aquino's father was brought before a military tribunal in Fort Bonifacio.{{Cite news |title=NINOY'S LETTER TO NOYNOY |work=The Manila Times |url=http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-times/20150208/281724087973756/TextView |access-date=March 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312050101/http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/manila-times/20150208/281724087973756/TextView |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |via=PressReader}}

In 1980, after a series of heart attacks, Aquino's father was allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States, where Aquino's family began a period of self-exile in Boston. After graduating, Aquino joined his family there in 1981.{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Benigno Aquino III: The quiet son of Philippine democracy icons |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57591170 |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624064209/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57591170 |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

File:Aquinos campaigning.png, during the 1986 presidential elections]]

In 1983, after three years in exile in the United States, Aquino's family returned to the Philippines, shortly after the assassination of his father on August 21, 1983. He had a short tenure as a member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, working as an assistant of the executive director. He later joined Mondragon Industries Philippines, Inc. as an assistant retail sales supervisor and Nike Philippines as an assistant promotions manager.

From 1986 to 1992, during the presidency of his mother, Aquino joined the Intra-Strata Assurance Corporation, a company owned by his uncle Antolin Oreta Jr., as vice president.

On August 28, 1987, eighteen months into the presidency of Aquino's mother, rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan staged an unsuccessful coup attempt, attempting to lay siege to Malacañang Palace. Aquino was two blocks from the palace when he came under fire. Three of Aquino's four security escorts were killed, and the last was wounded protecting him. He himself was hit by five bullets, once in the neck.{{Cite news |last=Pazzibugan |first=Dona |date=August 21, 2007 |title=Noynoy Aquino also rises |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070821-83752/Noynoy_Aquino_also_rises |url-status=live |access-date=September 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212133341/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20070821-83752/noynoy_Aquino_also_rises |archive-date=February 12, 2010}}

From 1993 to 1998, he worked for Central Azucarera de Tarlac, the sugar refinery in the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita.{{Cite news |date=April 1, 2016 |title=Central Azucarera de Tarlac moves to widen public ownership |work=BusinessWorld |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=central-azucarera-de-tarlac-moves-to-widen-public-ownership&id=126315 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203629/https://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=central-azucarera-de-tarlac-moves-to-widen-public-ownership&id=126315 |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} He was employed as the executive assistant for administration from 1993 to 1996 and subsequently worked as manager for field services from 1996 to 1998.

Aquino was a fourth-generation politician: his great-grandfather, Servillano "Mianong" Aquino, served as a delegate to the Malolos Congress; his paternal grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr., served as Speaker of the National Assembly from 1943 to 1944; his maternal grandfather, José Cojuangco, was also a member of the House of Representatives; and his parents were Corazon Aquino, who served as the 11th president of the Philippines (1986–1992), and Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Aquino was a member of the Liberal Party,{{Cite news |title='Noynoy' poised to run for president |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/01/09/noynoy-poised-run-president |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903112239/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/01/09/noynoy-poised-run-president |archive-date=September 3, 2009}} where he held various positions such as secretary general and vice president for Luzon.{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Benigno S. Aquino III |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/about/gov/exec/bsaiii/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204549/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/about/gov/exec/bsaiii/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

Aquino became a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives on November 8, 2004, but relinquished the post on February 21, 2006, when Aquino joined his Liberal Party Drilon wing members in calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the height of the Hello Garci scandal.{{Cite web |website=Senate of the Philippines |title=Resume of Senator Aquino |url=http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/aquino_noynoy_resume.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100614192915/http://senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/aquino_noynoy_resume.asp |archive-date=June 14, 2010}}

Aquino was also Chairman of the Board of the Central Luzon Congressional Caucus.

Barred from running for re-election to the House of Representatives of the Philippines, to represent the 2nd district of Tarlac, due to term limits, Aquino was elected to the Senate of the Philippines in the 2007 Philippine midterm election on May 15, 2007, under the banner of the Genuine Opposition (GO), a coalition comprising a number of parties, including Aquino's own Liberal Party, seeking to curb attempts by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution. In Aquino's political ads, he was endorsed by his younger sister, television host Kris Aquino, and his mother, Corazon Aquino. Although a Roman Catholic, Aquino was endorsed by the pentecostal Jesus Is Lord Church, one of the largest Protestant churches in the Philippines.{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2007 |title=11 days to E-Day |work=GMANews.TV |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/40912/news/nation/11-days-to-e-day-elections-for-sale |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317145126/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/40912/news/nation/11-days-to-e-day-elections-for-sale |archive-date=March 17, 2012}}{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2007 |title=JIL backs Loren, Noynoy, Koko, Kiko in Senate race |work=GMANews.TV |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/40819/news/nation/jil-backs-loren-noynoy-koko-kiko-in-senate-race |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310055341/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/40819/news/nation/jil-backs-loren-noynoy-koko-kiko-in-senate-race |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2007 |title=Brother Eddie Villanueva endorses 3 more GO bets |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=75867 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926224349/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=75867 |archive-date=September 26, 2007}} With more than {{Nowrap|14.3 million}} votes, Aquino's tally was the sixth highest of the 37 candidates for the 12 vacant seats elected from the nation at large. Aquino assumed his new office on June 30, 2007.

During the campaign, Aquino reached out to his former political rival, Senator Gregorio Honasan, supporting his application for bail. Aquino told Job Tabada of the Cebu Daily News, on March 5, 2007:

{{blockquote|"I endorse Honasan's request for bail para parehas ang laban [to even out the playing field]. I was hit by bullets from Honasan's men in the neck and hips but that's past now. The principle of my father was, 'Respect the rights even of your enemies.' Ito ang nagpatingkad ng demokrasya [This is what defines democracy]. Genuine reconciliation is democracy in action."{{Cite news |last=Tabada |first=Job |date=March 5, 2007 |title=Reconcile this |work=Cebu Daily News |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20070305-52984/Reconcile_this |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822210022/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20070305-52984/Reconcile_this |archive-date=August 22, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}}}

Aquino was referring to an unsuccessful coup attempt staged by rebel soldiers led by Gregorio Honasan on August 28, 1987, in which Aquino was seriously injured.

The Budget Impoundment and Control Act (Senate Bill No. 3121), wherein "impoundment" refers to the power of the president to refuse the release of funds appropriated by the Congress of the Philippines, is another bill Aquino was proud of;from an interview with freelance writer Lila Shahani for Philippines Graphic, later posted on the writer's blog as [http://lilashahani.blogspot.com/2010/03/conversation-with-noynoy.html "A Conversation with Noynoy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224180506/http://lilashahani.blogspot.com/2010/03/conversation-with-noynoy.html |date=December 24, 2020 }} (March 2010){{Unreliable source?|date=April 2016}} he regretted, however, that such power has been used and abused by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a result of which abuse has been the significant emasculation of Congress' ability to check the president's authority.{{Cite news |date=June 16, 2014 |title=Aquino urged: Declare FOI measure, budget control bill as urgent |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/611552/aquino-urged-declare-foi-measure-budget-control-bill-as-urgent |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203758/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/611552/aquino-urged-declare-foi-measure-budget-control-bill-as-urgent |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} Aquino filed this bill so that the president would have to pass a measure through Congress every time that they the chief executive had the impetus to impound part of the budget.

Another significant Aquino contribution to the Philippines' corruption problem was Senate Bill 2035, which is the Preservation of Public Infrastructures bill, seeking to raise standards in the construction of all public infrastructures by penalizing contractors of defective infrastructures.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2014 |title=A New Priority for President Aquino: Tax Evasion on Imports to the Philippines |url=https://financialtransparency.org/a-new-priority-for-president-aquino-tax-evasion-on-imports-to-the-philippines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211810/https://financialtransparency.org/a-new-priority-for-president-aquino-tax-evasion-on-imports-to-the-philippines/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |work=Financial Transparency}} The bill also requires the Bureau of Maintenance under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct periodic inspections of public infrastructures.

Aquino also pushed for the passage of the Amending the Government Procurement Act (SB 2160), which applies to all government procurement activities regardless of source of funds whether local or foreign; only treaties or international/executive agreements entered into by the government prior to its enactment shall be exempt from coverage.{{Cite web |title=Memorandum Order No. 15, s. 2011 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/05/09/memorandum-order-no-15-s-2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212045/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2011/05/09/memorandum-order-no-15-s-2011/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}} The bill was filed in light of the Department of Justice (DOJ) declaration regarding the validity of the NBN–ZTE deal corruption scandal, wherein its international aspect, as well as the fact that it was an executive agreement, was cited as one reason for its exemption from the procurement process stipulated in Republic Act No. 9184.

Focusing further on accountability in government appropriations and spending, Aquino filed other reform-oriented bills, among which were Philippine National Police reform;{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2015 |title=Philippines: Aquino Should Deliver on Rights Promises |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/07/21/philippines-aquino-should-deliver-rights-promises |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309134125/https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/07/21/philippines-aquino-should-deliver-rights-promises |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Human Rights Watch}} the banning of reappointment to the Judicial and Bar Council;{{Cite web |title=President Benigno S. Aquino III |url=https://madridpe.dfa.gov.ph/83-president/73-president-benigno-s-aquino-iii |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210724/https://madridpe.dfa.gov.ph/83-president/73-president-benigno-s-aquino-iii |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Embassy of the Philippines; Madrid, Spain}} and the prevention of reappointment and bypassing of the Commission on Appointments.{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Aquino's 'midnight appointment' raised before CA |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776809/aquinos-midnight-appointment-raised-before-ca |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210049/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/776809/aquinos-midnight-appointment-raised-before-ca |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

{{Main|2010 Philippine presidential election|Benigno Aquino III 2010 presidential campaign}}

File:2010PhilippinePresidentialElection (simple).png

File:Map of dignitaries who attend the Aquino's inauguration.PNG

On November 26, 2008, the Liberal Party elected Mar Roxas, president of the Liberal Party, as the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for President of the Philippines in the then-upcoming 2010 presidential elections.{{Cite news |date=November 27, 2007 |title=Roxas is new LP President |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/48863 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607201533/http://www.mb.com.ph/node/48863 |archive-date=June 7, 2011}}

Following the death and funeral of Aquino's mother, former President Corazon Aquino, many people began calling on Aquino to run for President of the Philippines.{{Cite web |title=Official Program Aquino Inaugural (Excerpts) |url=https://www.scribd.com/mlq3/d/33654204-Official-Program-Aquino-Inaugural-Excerpts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212173824/https://www.scribd.com/mlq3/d/33654204-Official-Program-Aquino-Inaugural-Excerpts |archive-date=February 12, 2015 |access-date=September 8, 2017}} This groundswell of support became known as the "Noynoy Phenomenon".{{Cite web |title=Candidate Profiles: Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy' Cojuangco Aquino III |url=https://thediplomat.com/philippines-election-2010/candidate-profiles/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412115449/https://thediplomat.com/philippines-election-2010/candidate-profiles/ |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |website=The Diplomat}}

On August 27, 2009, Edgardo "Eddie" Roces, son of the late journalist and media executive Chino Roces, and a group of lawyers and activists formed the Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM), a nationwide campaign to collect a million signatures in order to persuade Aquino to run for president,{{Cite news |date=August 27, 2009 |title='Noynoy for President' signature drive launched |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/27/09/noynoy-president-signature-drive-launched |url-status=live |access-date=June 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810223433/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/27/09/noynoy-president-signature-drive-launched |archive-date=August 10, 2015}} reminiscent of Roces' father, who on October 15, 1985, launched the Cory Aquino for President Movement (CAPM), collecting more than one million signatures nationwide and asking Aquino's mother to run against Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 presidential snap elections.{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://www.noyaquino2010.com/about |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816034647/http://noyaquino2010.com/about/ |archive-date=August 16, 2011 |website=Noy Aquino for President Movement}}

On September 1, 2009, at the Club Filipino, in a press conference, Senator Mar Roxas, president of the Liberal Party, announced his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race and expressed his support for Aquino, as the party standard-bearer instead.{{Cite news |title=Roxas throws support for Aquino in 2010 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090901-223047/Roxas-throws-support-for-Aquino-in-2010 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904195544/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090901-223047/Roxas-throws-support-for-Aquino-in-2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2009}} Aquino later stood side by side with Roxas, but did not make a public statement at the press conference. The next day, Aquino announced that he would be going on a "spiritual retreat" over the weekend to finalize his decision for the elections, visiting the Carmelite sisters in Zamboanga City, reminiscent of his mother's own soul-searching in 1985 before deciding to run for the elections the following year.{{Cite news |date=September 2, 2009 |title=Noynoy to go on 'retreat' before baring 2010 plans |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/171333/news/nation/noynoy-to-go-on-retreat-before-baring-2010-plans |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316224710/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/171333/news/nation/noynoy-to-go-on-retreat-before-baring-2010-plans |archive-date=March 16, 2012}} He came back on September 9 to formally announce his candidacy.{{Cite news |last=Ager |first=Maila |date=September 9, 2009 |title=Aquino declares presidential bid |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090909-224337/Noynoy-Aquino-to-run-for-president-in-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206073432/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090909-224337/Noynoy-Aquino-to-run-for-president-in-2010 |archive-date=February 6, 2010}} Almost two weeks later, Roxas pledged to run alongside Aquino as the Liberal Party standard-bearer for vice-president.{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2009 |title=Mar Roxas Declares Vice Presidency Bid |work=internetphilippines.com |url=http://www.internetphilippines.com/news/mar-roxas-accepts-vice-president-run-in-2010/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222223201/http://www.internetphilippines.com/news/mar-roxas-accepts-vice-president-run-in-2010/ |archive-date=December 22, 2019}}{{Cite news |title=Liberal Party launches Aquino-Roxas tandem for 2010 |work=SunStar |url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/now-official-roxas-aquino%E2%80%99s-veep |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226075650/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/network/now-official-roxas-aquino%E2%80%99s-veep |archive-date=December 26, 2009}} The two men filed their respective certificates of candidacy for president and vice-president on November 28, 2009.{{Cite news |date=July 9, 2010 |title=Philippines' Aquino running mate files poll protest |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idINIndia-50003020100709 |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212446/https://www.reuters.com/article/instant-article/idINIndia-50003020100709 |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

Fake psychiatric reports on Aquino's mental health began circulating online during the 90-day election campaign period from February 9 – May 8, 2010,{{Cite news |date=May 8, 2010 |title=Campaign period ends at midnight; liquor ban on |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=573347&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131111819/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=573347&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-date=January 31, 2013}}{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2010 |title=Noynoy shrugs off black propaganda |url=http://www.filamnation.com/article.php?article_id=11750 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606153310/http://www.filamnation.com/article.php?article_id=11750 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |website=FilAmNation}} Aquino received information that the first such report came from the wife of Nacionalista Party supporter and former National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) president Guido Delgado, a move Aquino claimed was made with "malicious intent". A second report came from an unidentified supporter of Senator Manny Villar, the Nacionalistas' leader and presidential candidate.{{Cite news |date=April 27, 2010 |title=Villar supporter presents Aquino's 'psychiatric report' |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100427-266735/Villar-supporter-presents-Aquinos-psychiatric-report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430090716/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20100427-266735/Villar-supporter-presents-Aquinos-psychiatric-report |archive-date=April 30, 2010}} Later presented by Delgado at a press conference, the psychiatric report was supposedly signed by Father Jaime C. Bulatao, S.J., PhD, a Jesuit priest, a professor of Psychology and a clinical psychologist at the Ateneo de Manila University, taken when Aquino was finishing his bachelor's degree in economics at the university in 1979. It reportedly showed that Aquino suffered from depression and melancholia; the priest later denied writing the document at all. Another supposed psychiatric report that later surfaced claimed that Aquino suffered from major depressive disorder; the report's supposed author, Jesuit priest Father Carmelo A. Caluag II, denied writing any evaluations of Aquino. The university's psychology department later debunked the documents, with Aquino labelling them as another desperate effort by rivals to malign his reputation.

During the campaign, Senator Francis Escudero began endorsing Aquino as president and PDP–Laban standard-bearer Jejomar Binay, for Vice President, launching the Aquino–Binay campaign.{{Cite news |date=April 28, 2010 |title=Escudero distributes 'Noybi' stickers and shirts |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100428-266945/Escudero-distributes-Noybi-stickers-and-shirts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822204814/http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100428-266945/Escudero-distributes-Noybi-stickers-and-shirts |archive-date=August 22, 2010}}

On June 9, 2010, at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, in Quezon City, the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino as the president-elect of the Philippines,{{Cite news |date=June 9, 2010 |title=Aquino promises justice as Philippines president |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100609/ap_on_re_as/as_philippines_aquino |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615002143/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100609/ap_on_re_as/as_philippines_aquino |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |work=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press}} following the 2010 election with 15,208,678 votes,{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2010 |title=Congress final tallies |url=http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100608-274547/Congress-final-tallies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822205729/http://politics.inquirer.net/politics/view/20100608-274547/Congress-final-tallies |archive-date=August 22, 2010 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer}} while Jejomar Binay, the former mayor of Makati, was proclaimed as the vice president-elect of the Philippines with 14,645,574 votes,{{Cite news |date=August 6, 2010 |title=Final tally: Binay leads Roxas by 700,000 votes |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/08/10/final-tally-binay-leads-roxas-700000-votes |url-status=live |access-date=June 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611143431/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/08/10/final-tally-binay-leads-roxas-700000-votes |archive-date=June 11, 2010}} defeating runner-up for the vice presidency Mar Roxas, the standard-bearer of the Liberal Party for vice president.{{Cite news |title=Aquino Chooses Roxas as Philippine Presidential Candidate |work=VOA News |url=https://www.voanews.com/east-asia/aquino-chooses-roxas-philippine-presidential-candidate |url-status=dead |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205735/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia/aquino-chooses-roxas-philippine-presidential-candidate |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

{{Main|Presidency of Benigno Aquino III}}

{{See also|List of international presidential trips made by Benigno Aquino III|Noynoying}}

{{Infobox President styles

|name=Benigno Aquino III

|image = 100px

|dipstyle= His Excellency

|offstyle= Your Excellency

|altstyle= Mr. President

}}

File:Inauguration of Benigno Aquino III.jpg at the Quirino Grandstand on June 30, 2010.]]

The presidency of Benigno Aquino III began at noon on June 30, 2010, and became the fifteenth president of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. From the start of his presidency on, he was also referred to in the media as PNoy.{{Cite news |date=July 30, 2010 |title=Bahay Pangarap for P-Noy ready |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597999&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209013858/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=597999&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-date=December 9, 2012}}{{Cite news |date=September 28, 2010 |title=Back from US, PNoy says 43K jobs to be generated in 3 years |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/202080/news/nation/back-from-us-pnoy-says-43k-jobs-to-be-generated-in-3-years |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317154757/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/202080/news/nation/back-from-us-pnoy-says-43k-jobs-to-be-generated-in-3-years |archive-date=March 17, 2012}}

The presidential transition began on June 9, 2010, when the Congress of the Philippines proclaimed Aquino the winner of the 2010 Philippine presidential elections held on May 10, 2010, proclaiming Aquino as the president-elect of the Philippines. Aquino took residence in the {{lang|fil|Bahay Pangarap}}, the first president to do so, instead of the Malacañang Palace, which has been the official residence of his predecessors.{{Cite news |title=Bahay Pangarap: Aquino's future home? |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/06/09/10/bahay-pangarap-aquinos-future-home |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910005616/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/06/09/10/bahay-pangarap-aquinos-future-home |archive-date=September 10, 2015}}

File:President Aquino at work.jpg

Aquino announced the formation of a truth commission that would investigate various issues including corruption allegations against his predecessor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as commission head.{{Cite news |date=June 29, 2010 |title=Davide named Truth Commission chief |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100629-278225/Davide-named-Truth-Commission-chief |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630172636/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100629-278225/Davide-named-Truth-Commission-chief |archive-date=June 30, 2010}}

Aquino took the oath of office on June 30, 2010, at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila.{{Cite news |date=June 15, 2010 |title=Noynoy Aquino to take oath at the Luneta grandstand |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/193465/news/nation/noynoy-aquino-to-take-oath-at-the-luneta-grandstand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317150134/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/193465/news/nation/noynoy-aquino-to-take-oath-at-the-luneta-grandstand |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |work=GMA News Online}} The oath of office was administered by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, who officially accepted Aquino's request to swear him into office,{{Cite news |date=June 19, 2010 |title=Lady justice to administer Aquino oath |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100619-276377/Lady-justice-to-administer-Aquino-oath |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012214457/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100619-276377/Lady-justice-to-administer-Aquino-oath |archive-date=October 12, 2014}} reminiscent of the decision of his mother, who in 1986, was sworn into the presidency by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee.{{Cite news |last=Quezon III |first=Manuel L. |date=June 19, 2010 |title=Trivia on Aquino and Binay |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/06/19/10/trivia-aquino-and-binay |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623223611/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/insights/06/19/10/trivia-aquino-and-binay |archive-date=June 23, 2015}} After being sworn in as the fifteenth president of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Aquino delivered his inaugural address.

File:President Obama with President Aquino.jpg and Vietnamese President Nguyễn Minh Triết at a working lunch with leaders of the ASEAN around the United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York City in 2010.]]

During Aquino's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, 2010,{{Cite news |date=July 23, 2010 |title=P-Noy's first SONA awaited |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/267438/pnoy-s-first-sona-awaited |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722060816/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/267438/pnoy-s-first-sona-awaited |archive-date=July 22, 2010}}{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2010 |title=SONA: English translation of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III's State of the Nation Address |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/197030/news/nation/sona-english-translation-of-pres-benigno-s-aquino-iii-s-state-of-the-nation-address |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317141519/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/197030/news/nation/sona-english-translation-of-pres-benigno-s-aquino-iii-s-state-of-the-nation-address |archive-date=March 17, 2012}} Aquino announced his intention to reform the education system in the Philippines by shifting to K–12 education, a 12-year basic education cycle.{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Isagani |date=July 29, 2010 |title=Education in the SONA |url=http://lcc.deped.gov.ph/lcc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231:education-in-the-sona&catid=35:news&Itemid=64 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819213753/http://lcc.deped.gov.ph/lcc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231%3Aeducation-in-the-sona&catid=35%3Anews&Itemid=64 |archive-date=August 19, 2011 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |website=Literacy Coordinating Council}}

{{expand section|date=May 2022}}

During the inaugural address, Aquino created the "no wang-wang" policy, strengthening the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 96.{{Cite news |last=Pedrasa |first=Ira |date=July 20, 2010 |title=P. Noy's 'wang-wang' policy sets culture change |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/07/20/10/p-noy%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98wang-wang%E2%80%99-policy-sets-culture-change |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723132249/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/07/20/10/p-noy%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98wang-wang%E2%80%99-policy-sets-culture-change |archive-date=July 23, 2010}}{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2010 |title=MMDA sees positive effect of 'wang-wang' confiscation |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/265632/mmda- |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712212444/http://www.mb.com.ph/node/265632/mmda- |archive-date=July 12, 2010}} Wang-wang is colloquial term for blaring sirens.{{Cite news |last=Espina |first=Erik |date=July 20, 2010 |title=Take Two: 'No wang-wang' |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/267945/take-two-no-wangwang |work=Manila Bulletin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723143456/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/267945/take-two-no-wangwang |archive-date=July 23, 2010}} The decree was issued on January 13, 1973, by then President Ferdinand Marcos, regulating the use of sirens and other similar devices only to motor vehicles designated for the use of select national government officials, the police, the military, the fire department and ambulances. Despite having the privilege of using wang-wang as president, Aquino refrained from using sirens to set up an example for his policy, even if it means being stuck in traffic and being late every now and then.{{Cite news |date=June 9, 2010 |title=No 'wangwang,' no limo, Aquino stuck in traffic |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100703-278888/No-wangwang-no-limo-Aquino-stuck-in-traffic |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705133054/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100703-278888/No-wangwang-no-limo-Aquino-stuck-in-traffic |archive-date=July 5, 2010}}{{Cite news |date=July 8, 2010 |title=P-Noy late again, but no wang-wang policy stays |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=591315&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906163011/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=591315&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-06 |access-date=January 23, 2012}} After the inaugural address, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority began to enforce Aquino's no wang-wang policy, confiscating wang-wang from public officials and private motorists who illegally used them.

Aquino resumed stalled peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group in Mindanao seeking self-determination for Moros. He met with the MILF in Tokyo, Japan in August 2011 to initiate peace talks which resulted to the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine government and the rebel group the following year. The agreement started the process of replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with a new political entity. In 2014, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed between the Philippine government and the MILF, with the deal characterized as a "final peace agreement" between the two parties.{{Cite news |last=Basman |first=Taj |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Bangsamoro recalls the risk Aquino took for peace |language=en |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/bangsamoro-recalls-risk-aquino-took-for-peace |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624070610/https://www.rappler.com/nation/bangsamoro-recalls-risk-aquino-took-for-peace |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

The CAB paved way for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL; later known as the Bangsamoro Organic Law or BOL), a charter for a proposed Bangsamoro autonomous region which would replace the ARMM.

In 2015, President Aquino was accused of evading responsibility for the Mamasapano clash, a botched police operation, which resulted to the death of 44 Special Action Force officers. He was also criticized for entrusting the operation to suspended police chief Alan Purisima.{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2015 |title=Pres. Aquino Trying to Evade Liability in Mamasapano Incident According to Sen. Santiago |work=Philnews.ph |url=http://philnews.ph/2015/03/25/pres-aquino-trying-to-evade-liability-mamasapano-incident-sen-santiago/ |access-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003418/http://philnews.ph/2015/03/25/pres-aquino-trying-to-evade-liability-mamasapano-incident-sen-santiago/ |archive-date=May 5, 2015}} This led to a decrease of public support for the BBL.{{Cite news |date=May 15, 2015 |title=How Mamasapano tragedy affected BBL |language=en |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/15/15/how-mamasapano-tragedy-affected-bbl |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220213351/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/15/15/how-mamasapano-tragedy-affected-bbl |archive-date=February 20, 2017}}

Aquino introduced reforms on the Philippine education program by introducing the K-12 curriculum by signing into law the Enhanced Basic Education Act in 2013. This added two years to the basic education system; which became known as the Senior High School stage.{{Cite news |last=Deiparine |first=Christian |date=June 25, 2021 |title=For education sector, Aquino will always be remembered for K-12 program |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/25/2108029/education-sector-aquino-will-always-be-remembered-k-12-program |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709195321/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/06/25/2108029/education-sector-aquino-will-always-be-remembered-k-12-program |archive-date=July 9, 2021}} The program was introduced because the Philippines was among the three countries in the world at that time still had a 10-year basic education program.{{Cite news |last=Corrales |first=Nestor |date=May 29, 2015 |title=Aquino: K to 12 program not a burden; PH ready for it |language=en |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/694648/aquino-k-to-12-not-a-burden-ph-ready-for-it |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183516/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/694648/aquino-k-to-12-not-a-burden-ph-ready-for-it |archive-date=July 9, 2021}} Among the criticisms of the K-12 program is the associated costs to be shouldered by teachers, parents, and students for the additional two years of basic education as well as the lack of classrooms and teachers required for the implementation of the shift to K-12.

Benigno Aquino III is noted for his confrontational foreign policy against China, especially concerning the Philippines' approach in pursuing its claims in the South China Sea. It was under his administration, that the China v. Philippines case was filed in the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which ruled in 2016 the invalidity of China's nine-dash line claim which covers the entire sea, although China continues to disregard the decision.{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Feliz |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Benigno Aquino III, Former Philippine President Who Resisted China, Dies at 61 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/benigno-aquino-iii-former-philippine-president-who-resisted-china-dies-at-61-11624523548 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624083814/https://www.wsj.com/articles/benigno-aquino-iii-former-philippine-president-who-resisted-china-dies-at-61-11624523548 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |work=Wall Street Journal}} The case was filed in 2013, after the Philippines lost control of the Scarborough Shoal after the 2012 standoff with China over the dispute feature.{{Cite news |last=Calunsod |first=Ronron |date=June 25, 2021 |title=PNoy's move vs. China on W. Philippine Sea won't be forgotten: Kalayaan town mayor |language=en |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/noynoy-aquino-china-kalayaan-west-philippine-sea |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709211644/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/noynoy-aquino-china-kalayaan-west-philippine-sea |archive-date=July 9, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=May 7, 2021 |title=Should Aquino admin be blamed for Scarborough loss? Ex-envoy weighs in |language=en |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://www.cnn.ph/news/2021/5/7/Scarborough-Shoal-loss-Aquino-admin.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183034/https://www.cnn.ph/news/2021/5/7/Scarborough-Shoal-loss-Aquino-admin.html |archive-date=July 9, 2021}} He is also responsible for instituting the term "West Philippine Sea" in 2012 for the eastern parts of the South China Sea which the Philippines claims to be part of its exclusive economic zone.{{Cite news |last=Ubac |first=Michael Lim |date=September 13, 2012 |title=It's official: Aquino signs order on West Philippine Sea |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://globalnation.inquirer.net/50012/its-official-aquino-signs-order-on-west-philippine-sea |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618113332/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/50012/its-official-aquino-signs-order-on-west-philippine-sea |archive-date=June 18, 2019}}

{{Main|Presidency of Benigno Aquino III#Administration and cabinet}}

Aquino appointed the following to the Supreme Court of the Philippines:

• Maria Lourdes Sereno – August 13, 2010 (as Associate Justice); August 25, 2012 (as Chief Justice).{{Cite news |date=August 13, 2010 |title=Aquino names Sereno SC Associate Justice |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/272241/aquino-names-sereno-sc-associate-justice |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816154902/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/272241/aquino-names-sereno-sc-associate-justice |archive-date=August 16, 2010}}
• Bienvenido L. Reyes – August 16, 2011{{Cite news |date=June 16, 2016 |title=Who is Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes? |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/791057/who-is-associate-justice-bienvenido-reyes |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204200/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/791057/who-is-associate-justice-bienvenido-reyes |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}
• Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe – September 16, 2011{{Cite web |title=Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe |url=https://pcij.org/article/4721/senior-associate-justice-estela-perlas-bernabe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204835/https://pcij.org/article/4721/senior-associate-justice-estela-perlas-bernabe |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism}}
• Mario Victor F. Leonen – November 21, 2012{{Cite news |date=November 21, 2012 |title=Aquino names Leonen as new SC justice |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/310715/aquino-names-leonen-as-new-sc-justice |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128045151/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/310715/aquino-names-leonen-as-new-sc-justice |archive-date=November 28, 2012}}
• Francis H. Jardeleza – August 19, 2014{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Aquino remembered for bringing China to court, 'international respect' for PH |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/noynoy-aquino-remembered-bringing-china-to-court |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624061438/https://www.rappler.com/nation/noynoy-aquino-remembered-bringing-china-to-court |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}
• Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa – January 22, 2016{{Cite web |title=Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa |url=https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/371/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205222/https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/371/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Supreme Court of the Philippines}}

{{criticism section|date=July 2021}}

On August 23, 2010, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, the Manila hostage crisis occurred when a gunman took hostage a bus with Hong Kong tourists. Aquino defended the actions of the police at the scene, stating that the gunman had not shown any signs of wanting to kill the hostages. Aquino ordered a "thorough investigation" into the incident, and would wait until it is completed before deciding whether anyone should lose his or her job.{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Hong Kong warns against Philippines travel after deaths |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11067310 |url-status=live |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824204800/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11067310 |archive-date=August 24, 2010}} Aquino declared that the media may have worsened the situation by giving the gunman "a bird's-eye view of the entire situation".{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Gunman in the Philippines ends standoff by killing 8, wounding 7 |work=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/23/philippines.bus.hostages/index.html?hpt=T1#fbid=Zn5zrYu1rwk&wom=true |url-status=live |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622142147/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/23/philippines.bus.hostages/index.html?hpt=T1#fbid=Zn5zrYu1rwk&wom=true |archive-date=June 22, 2012}} Aquino also made reference to the Moscow theater hostage crisis, which, according to Aquino, resulted in "more severe" casualties despite Russia's "resources and sophistication".{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Aquino explains his stand on Monday's hostage crisis |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273922/aquino-explains-his-stand-mondays-hostage-crisis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827130039/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273922/aquino-explains-his-stand-mondays-hostage-crisis |archive-date=August 27, 2010}} On August 24, 2010, Aquino signed Proclamation No. 23, declaring August 25, 2010, as a national day of mourning, instructing all public institutions nationwide and all Philippine embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag at half-mast, in honor of the eight Hong Kong residents who died during the crisis.{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=Noynoy declares August 25 as Nat'l Day of Mourning |work=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273993/noynoy-declares-august-25-natl-day-mourning |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609050947/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273993/noynoy-declares-august-25-natl-day-mourning |archive-date=June 9, 2011}}{{Cite news |date=August 24, 2010 |title=National Day of Mourning declared for slain hostages |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/199308/news/nation/national-day-of-mourning-declared-for-slain-hostages |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317094138/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/199308/news/nation/national-day-of-mourning-declared-for-slain-hostages |archive-date=March 17, 2012}} On August 25, 2010, at a press conference in Malacañang, Aquino apologized to those offended when he was caught on television apparently smiling while being interviewed at the crime scene hours after the Manila hostage crisis.{{Cite news |last=Ager |first=Maila |date=August 25, 2010 |title=Aquino says sorry for the 'smile' |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100825-288733/Aquino-says-sorry-for-the-smile |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728124640/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100825-288733/Aquino-says-sorry-for-the-smile |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-28 }} Aquino said:

{{blockquote|"My smile might have been misunderstood. I have several expressions. I smile when I'm happy, I smile when I'm faced with a very absurd situation...and if I offended certain people, I apologize to them. It's more of an expression maybe of exasperation rather than anything and again, I apologize if I offended certain people, who misunderstood (my) facial expression."}}

On September 3, 2010, Aquino took responsibility for the crisis.{{Cite news |date=September 3, 2010 |title=Aquino takes responsibility for bus siege tragedy |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/03/10/aquino-takes-responsibility-bus-siege-tragedy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613165101/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/03/10/aquino-takes-responsibility-bus-siege-tragedy |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-13 }} Aquino actually has direct supervision of the Philippine National Police, since Aquino had asked Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Jesse Robredo to address other concerns, such as coming up with a comprehensive plan on delivering social services to and relocating informal settlers in coordination with the local governments. No formal apology for the crisis was made by Aquino until President Rodrigo Duterte formally apologized in 2018 as president of the Republic of the Philippines and in behalf of the people of the Philippines.{{Cite news |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Philippines' Duterte makes public apology for 2010 HK tourists killing |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-philippines-duterte-idUSKBN1HJ29W |url-status=live |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628031137/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-philippines-duterte-idUSKBN1HJ29W |archive-date=June 28, 2021}}

File:Philippines President Benigno Aquino III's Plead to the Nation on Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) - 7 November 2013.webm

President Aquino's administration was criticized during and after Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013 for the government's "slow" response to aid the victims.{{Cite news |title=After 4 months, PNoy apologizes for slow govt response to Yolanda victims |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/352359/news/nation/after-4-months-pnoy-apologizes-for-slow-govt-response-to-yolanda-victims |access-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501235012/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/352359/news/nation/after-4-months-pnoy-apologizes-for-slow-govt-response-to-yolanda-victims |archive-date=May 1, 2015}} This criticism resulted in countries like Canada providing humanitarian aid to the victims of the typhoon through non-governmental organizations and not the Philippine government.{{Cite news |last=Esmaquel |first=Paterno II |date=January 14, 2016 |title='Family ties' push Canada to give more Yolanda aid |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/119013-canada-philippines-yolanda-haiyan-donations |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119235606/http://www.rappler.com/nation/119013-canada-philippines-yolanda-haiyan-donations |archive-date=January 19, 2016}}

{{Main|Noynoying}}

Noynoying (pronounced noy-noy-YING{{Cite news |author1=Jaymee T. Gamil |author2=Julie M. Aurelio |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Planking is out, 'Noynoying' is in |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/162279/planking-is-out-%E2%80%98noynoying%E2%80%99-is-in |url-status=live |access-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418114856/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/162279/planking-is-out-%E2%80%98noynoying%E2%80%99-is-in |archive-date=April 18, 2012}} or noy-NOY-ying{{Cite news |date=March 21, 2012 |title=Foreign media get wind of "noynoying" |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/-depth/03/21/12/foreign-media-get-wind-noynoying |url-status=live |access-date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325092010/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/-depth/03/21/12/foreign-media-get-wind-noynoying |archive-date=March 25, 2012}}) was a protest tactic in the form of a neologism that Aquino's critics used to question his work ethic, alleging his inaction on the issues of disaster response and rising oil prices. A play on the term planking and Aquino's nickname, Noynoying involved posing in a lazy manner, such as sitting idly while resting his head on one hand, and doing nothing.

File:Duterte and Aquino in Malacañang 063016.jpg ahead of Duterte's inauguration on June 30, 2016.]]

Following the turnover ceremonies to his successor Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang, Aquino returned to his parents' residence along Times Street, Quezon City.{{Cite news |last=Lopez |first=Virgil |date=June 30, 2016 |title=Warm welcome as Aquino returns to Times Street |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/571874/news/nation/warm-welcome-as-aquino-returns-to-times-street |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202124606/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/571874/news/nation/warm-welcome-as-aquino-returns-to-times-street |archive-date=February 2, 2017}} After leaving office, Aquino remained silent on the Duterte administration and rarely made public appearances.{{Cite news |last=Kabiling |first=Genalyn |date=February 8, 2021 |title=Former President Aquino in good spirits as he spends 61st birthday at home – Manila Bulletin |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/08/former-president-aquino-in-good-spirits-as-he-spends-61st-birthday-at-home/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203930/https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/08/former-president-aquino-in-good-spirits-as-he-spends-61st-birthday-at-home/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |quote=Ever since he left Malacañang, Aquino has been spending a relatively quiet retirement from politics / In the past few years, Aquino made rare public appearances, including attending historic occasions related to his parents. There were occasional public statements, including instances when Aquino's name was dragged in the cases related to the Dengvaxia controversy and the Mamasapano tragedy.}} However, in November 2016, Aquino attended a concert at Rizal Park and joined protests against the burial of Ferdinand Marcos.{{Cite news |last=Calica |first=Aurea |date=November 7, 2016 |title=Citizen Noy attends anti-Marcos rally |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/07/1641344/citizen-noy-attends-anti-marcos-rally |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305002032/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/11/07/1641344/citizen-noy-attends-anti-marcos-rally |archive-date=March 5, 2017}} In February 2017, Aquino commemorated the 31st anniversary of the People Power Revolution by marching to the People Power Monument and joining the protests against the Ferdinand Marcos regime.{{Cite news |date=February 25, 2017 |title=Aquino joins People Power Monument protest, warns of history repeating |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/25/17/aquino-joins-people-power-monument-protest-warns-of-history-repeating |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226022247/http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/25/17/aquino-joins-people-power-monument-protest-warns-of-history-repeating |archive-date=February 26, 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Tupas |first=Emmanuel |date=February 26, 2017 |title=Noy joins EDSA rites, denies LP destab moves |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/26/1675893/noy-joins-edsa-rites-denies-lp-destab-moves |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226101407/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/26/1675893/noy-joins-edsa-rites-denies-lp-destab-moves |archive-date=February 26, 2017}}

In July 2017, criminal charges were filed against Aquino for usurpation of authority under the Revised Penal Code and violating anti-graft and corruption laws.{{Cite news |last=Santos |first=Eimor |date=July 15, 2017 |title=Ex-President Aquino faces criminal raps over Mamasapano encounter, cleared of homicide |url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/07/14/Noynoy-Aquino-Mamasapano-SAF-44-Ombudsman-criminal-charges-no-homicide.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626100705/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/07/14/Noynoy-Aquino-Mamasapano-SAF-44-Ombudsman-criminal-charges-no-homicide.html |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=July 16, 2017 |work=CNN Philippines}} Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales cited the involvement of then suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima in the 2015 Mamasapano police operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where 44 Special Action Force members were killed. Under the Revised Penal Code, suspended public officials cannot perform their duties or interfere in government affairs. Aquino's former deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Aquino planned to file a motion for reconsideration to appeal the charges. In 2018, Aquino was indicted in a $1.35-billion criminal case involving a congressional approval to use state funds on major government projects.{{Cite news |title=Philippine ex-leader Aquino charged 1.35 billion budget case |work=The Japan Times |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/20/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/philippine-ex-leader-aquino-charged-1-35-billion-budget-case/#.W_qFu-uZ1E4 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162425/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/06/20/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/philippine-ex-leader-aquino-charged-1-35-billion-budget-case/#.W_qFu-uZ1E4 |archive-date=November 25, 2018}} On August 22, 2019, the Sandiganbayan dropped the charges against Aquino upon request from Ombudsman Samuel Martires, citing the rule that no president can be charged of inducing subordinates to follow orders.{{Cite news |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Sandiganbayan formally drops Mamasapano graft charges vs Aquino |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/sandiganbayan-formally-drops-mamasapano-graft-charges-vs-aquino |url-status=live |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627235642/https://www.rappler.com/nation/sandiganbayan-formally-drops-mamasapano-graft-charges-vs-aquino |archive-date=June 27, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=July 5, 2019 |title=Martires on dropping Noynoy charges: No president can be charged with usurpation |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/martires-defends-dropping-charges-vs-noynoy-aquino |url-status=live |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627235642/https://www.rappler.com/nation/martires-defends-dropping-charges-vs-noynoy-aquino |archive-date=June 27, 2021}}

Aquino never married and had no children, making him the Philippines' first bachelor president.{{Cite news |last=Lopez |first=Ditas B. |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Benigno Aquino III, Who Led Philippine Growth Spurt, Dies at 61 |work=Bloomberg News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-24/benigno-aquino-iii-who-led-philippine-growth-spurt-dies-at-61 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625013246/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-24/benigno-aquino-iii-who-led-philippine-growth-spurt-dies-at-61 |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} Aquino previously had a relationship with Shalani Soledad, a Valenzuela city councilor and niece of former Senator Francisco Tatad.{{Cite news |author=Christine Avendaño |date=August 13, 2009 |title=Sorry, Josh, Tito Noy has a girlfriend |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090813-220050/Sorry-Josh-Tito-Noy-has-a-girlfriend |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831043615/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090813-220050/Sorry-Josh-Tito-Noy-has-a-girlfriend |archive-date=August 31, 2009}}{{Cite news |date=August 12, 2009 |title=Noynoy's 'girlfriend' being groomed for Congress |work=GMANews.TV |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/169668/news/nation/noynoy-s-girlfriend-being-groomed-for-congress |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222161930/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/169668/news/nation/noynoy-s-girlfriend-being-groomed-for-congress |archive-date=December 22, 2015}} In November 2010, Aquino confirmed that he and Soledad had ended their relationship.{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2010 |title=Yes, Aquino dating his stylist, Liz Uy |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101113-302969/Yes-Aquino-dating-his-stylist-Liz-Uy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114124206/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101113-302969/Yes-Aquino-dating-his-stylist-Liz-Uy |archive-date=November 14, 2010}} He had previously dated Korina Sanchez, Bernadette Sembrano, and Liz Uy.{{Cite news |last=Jumilla |first=Lynda |date=November 12, 2010 |title=Aquino admits dating Liz Uy |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/11/12/10/aquino-admits-dating-liz-uy |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223094256/http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/11/12/10/aquino-admits-dating-liz-uy |archive-date=December 23, 2015}} He was also in a relationship with Korean television host Grace Lee.{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2014 |title=PNoy confirms relationship status in Vice Ganda interview |work=Rappler |url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/79777-pnoy-gandang-gabi-vice-ganda-interview-relationship-status |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216191228/http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/79777-pnoy-gandang-gabi-vice-ganda-interview-relationship-status |archive-date=February 16, 2016}} Aquino had openly stated that he preferred younger women because he wanted to have children.{{Cite news |last=Robles |first=Raissa |date=April 21, 2015 |title=All the president's women: Why Benigno Aquino is still a bachelor |work=South China Morning Post |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/article/1772717/all-presidents-women-why-benigno-aquino-still-bachelor |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627053328/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-east-asia/article/1772717/all-presidents-women-why-benigno-aquino-still-bachelor |archive-date=June 27, 2021}}

Aquino was an enthusiast of shooting, billiards, and video games.{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=June 25, 2021 |title=The sports closest to Noynoy Aquino's heart |language=en |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |url=https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/pnoy-noynoy-aquino-love-for-practical-shooting-billiards-a793-20210625?ref=article_feed_1 |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626015902/https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/pnoy-noynoy-aquino-love-for-practical-shooting-billiards-a793-20210625?ref=article_feed_1 |archive-date=June 26, 2021}} He was also engaged in martial arts, particularly karate and sikaran.{{Cite web |last1=de Asis |first1=Camille |last2=Lim |first2=Ivan |last3=Tare |first3=Mark |date=May 1, 2010 |title='Roly-poly' digs ROTC, gigs, debating teacher |url=https://pcij.org/article/6624/roly-poly-digs-rotc-brgigs-debating-teacher |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225174313/https://pcij.org/article/6624/roly-poly-digs-rotc-brgigs-debating-teacher |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |access-date=February 26, 2023 |website=Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism}}{{Cite news |last=Bordey |first=Hana |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Ex-President Benigno Aquino III dies |work=GMA News Online |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/792753/ex-president-benigno-aquino-iii-dies/story/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225174311/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/792753/ex-president-benigno-aquino-iii-dies/story/ |archive-date=February 25, 2023}} Aquino did not drink alcoholic beverages but was a chain smoker.{{Cite news |date=May 24, 2010 |title=Noynoy 'not yet ready' to quit smoking |work=ABS-CBN News |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/24/10/noynoy-urged-stop-smoking-first-100-days |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914092950/http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/24/10/noynoy-urged-stop-smoking-first-100-days |archive-date=September 14, 2016}} He said that he was not keen on being a poster boy for anti-smoking campaigns.{{Cite news |date=May 24, 2010 |title=Noynoy not keen on being anti-smoking poster boy |work=GMA News Online |url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/191743/news/nation/noynoy-not-keen-on-being-anti-smoking-poster-boy |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045021/http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/191743/news/nation/noynoy-not-keen-on-being-anti-smoking-poster-boy |archive-date=March 4, 2016}} Upon winning the election, Aquino received a phone call from U.S. President Barack Obama, who congratulated him and offered assistance to smoking cessation.{{Cite news |date=June 10, 2010 |title=Obama 'to help' Aquino quit smoking |work=ABS-CBN News |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/06/10/10/obama-help-aquino-quit-smoking |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225093919/http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/06/10/10/obama-help-aquino-quit-smoking |archive-date=February 25, 2016}}{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Barney |date=June 11, 2010 |title=Barack Obama has quit smoking for good claims Philippine president |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/7820892/Barack-Obama-has-quit-smoking-for-good-claims-Philippine-president.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308074359/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/7820892/Barack-Obama-has-quit-smoking-for-good-claims-Philippine-president.html |archive-date=March 8, 2016}}

Although his official residence as president was Malacañang Palace, Aquino chose to reside in the Bahay Pangarap (Dream House), located within the Palace grounds, while in office.{{Cite news |date=June 30, 2010 |title=Noynoy's new home is Bahay Pangarap |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=588969&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |access-date=January 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209100911/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=588969&publicationSubCategoryId=63 |archive-date=December 9, 2012}}

File:Quezon Memorial Shrine June 24, 2021.jpg illuminated in yellow (a color associated with the Aquino family), with a Philippine flag on the foreground lowered to half-mast, on the evening of Aquino's death, June 24, 2021.]]

File:Pnoy burol public viewing, inside Church of the Gesu (Ateneo, Quezon City; 06-25-2021) 2.jpg in Quezon City.]]

File:Benigno Aquino III family tombs CNE 02.jpg in Parañaque, Philippines]]

Speculation surrounding Aquino's health began circulating in August 2019 after he was unable to attend the commemoration of his late father's 36th death anniversary; however, his spokesperson Abigail Valte said that his illness then was "nothing serious".{{Cite news |last=Valente |first=Catherine |date=August 22, 2019 |title=Ex-president Aquino 'down with flu,' says spokesman |work=The Manila Times |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/08/22/latest-stories/breakingnews/ex-president-aquino-down-with-flu-says-spokesman/604313 |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625111108/https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/08/22/latest-stories/breakingnews/ex-president-aquino-down-with-flu-says-spokesman/604313 |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} In November 2019, Aquino was reported to have suffered from pneumonia.{{Cite news |last=Esguerra |first=Darryl John |date=November 20, 2019 |title=Ex-President Noynoy Aquino admits contracting pneumonia |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1192202/ex-president-noynoy-aquino-admits-contracting-pneumonia |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105119/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1192202/ex-president-noynoy-aquino-admits-contracting-pneumonia |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} A month after, he was confined at Makati Medical Center for an executive checkup and undisclosed routine procedures. Aquino was confined in an intensive care unit, although according to his spokesperson, he was never in critical condition and the accommodation was just to limit visitors.{{Cite news |last1=Aguinaldo |first1=Sandra |last2=Panti |first2=Llanesca |date=December 10, 2019 |title='In same good condition', Noynoy Aquino moved from ICU to regular room |language=en |work=GMA News Online |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/718686/in-same-good-condition-noynoy-aquino-moved-from-icu-to-regular-room/story/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624120828/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/718686/in-same-good-condition-noynoy-aquino-moved-from-icu-to-regular-room/story/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=December 11, 2019 |title=Ex-President Aquino moved from ICU to regular room – spokesperson |work=CNN Philippines |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/11/Former-President-Benigno-Noynoy-Aquino-health-hospital.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203711/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/11/Former-President-Benigno-Noynoy-Aquino-health-hospital.html |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} Senator Francis Pangilinan, who was Aquino's former food security czar, later stated that this confinement was due to a kidney malfunction. Pangilinan added that Aquino had also been suffering from hypertension and diabetes.{{Cite news |date=June 25, 2021 |title=Noynoy Aquino was preparing for kidney transplant before death, friends say |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/noynoy-aquino-kidney-transplant-hesitant |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625064428/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/noynoy-aquino-kidney-transplant-hesitant |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} Thereafter, Aquino regularly sought medical treatment for his condition.{{Cite news |last=Bordey |first=Hana |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Ex-President Noynoy 'in and out' of hospital even before COVID-19 pandemic —Aquino family |work=GMA News Online |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/792805/ex-president-noynoy-in-and-out-of-hospital-even-before-covid-19-pandemic-aquino-family/story/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624080521/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/792805/ex-president-noynoy-in-and-out-of-hospital-even-before-covid-19-pandemic-aquino-family/story/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} By May 2021, Aquino told Camille Elemia of Rappler that he was experiencing a loss of appetite and breathing difficulties. That same month, he reportedly underwent a cardiac surgery.{{Cite news |last=Elemia |first=Camille |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Noynoy Aquino: 'Camille, I'm not in good shape' |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/voices/rappler-blogs/noynoy-aquino-story-interactions-reporter-camille-elemia |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625162724/https://www.rappler.com/voices/rappler-blogs/noynoy-aquino-story-interactions-reporter-camille-elemia |archive-date=June 25, 2021}}

In the early hours of June 24, 2021, Aquino was found by his maidservant lying unconscious on his recliner at his home in West Triangle, Quezon City. He was immediately transported by ambulance to the nearby Capitol Medical Center in Diliman, where he was pronounced dead at 6:30 a.m. (PHT), that day (22:30 UTC of the previous day).{{Cite news |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Former Philippines President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino dies at 61 |work=Japan Today |url=https://japantoday.com/category/world/philippines%27-ex-president-%27noynoy%27-aquino-dies1?comment-order=oldest |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210624072941/https://japantoday.com/category/world/philippines'-ex-president-'noynoy'-aquino-dies1?comment-order=oldest |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} The cause of death was stated as renal disease, secondary to diabetes.{{Cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Neil |last2=Lema |first2=Karen |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Ex-Philippine President Benigno Aquino dies of renal failure at 61 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-philippine-president-benigno-aquino-dies-hospital-sources-2021-06-24/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624021207/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-philippine-president-benigno-aquino-dies-hospital-sources-2021-06-24/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Krissy |date=June 24, 2021 |title=Ex-president Noynoy Aquino died 'peacefully in his sleep' – family |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1450643/ex-president-noynoy-aquino-died-peacefully-in-his-sleep-family |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210624081009/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1450643/ex-president-noynoy-aquino-died-peacefully-in-his-sleep-family |archive-date=June 24, 2021}} According to his personal chauffeur, Aquino was scheduled to undergo dialysis on June 21, but refused because he felt that his body was "weak". Another dialysis was planned the day prior to his death, but Aquino again turned it down for similar reasons.{{Cite news |last=Tenorio |first=Bum Jr. |date=June 25, 2021 |title='Namatay siya sa pagkakahimbing': Longtime driver recalls moments before Noynoy was rushed to the hospital |work=The Philippine Star |url=https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/423835-noynoy-aquino-final-moments-longtime-driver?page=2 |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625090544/https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/423835-noynoy-aquino-final-moments-longtime-driver?page=2 |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} Aquino's former public works secretary, Rogelio Singson, stated that he also underwent angioplasty to prepare for a scheduled kidney transplantation; Aquino was in the process of searching for donors at the time of his death.

His remains were cremated on the day of his death and his ashes were buried adjacent to that of his parents at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque on June 26, making him the first Philippine president to have been initially cremated. Three Masses were held on June 25 and 26 at the Church of the Gesù at his alma mater, the Ateneo de Manila University, where a public viewing was also held.{{Cite news |last=Ramos |first=Christia Marie |date=June 25, 2021 |title=Noynoy Aquino 'comes home' to Ateneo for public's chance to pay respects |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1451040/noynoy-aquino-comes-home-to-ateneo-for-publics-chance-to-pay-respects |url-status=live |access-date=June 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625014727/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1451040/noynoy-aquino-comes-home-to-ateneo-for-publics-chance-to-pay-respects |archive-date=June 25, 2021}} Then newly-installed Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula blessed his remains, while his funeral mass was presided over by Lingayen–Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas (who also presided the requiem mass for Aquino's mother in 2009 when Villegas was Bishop of Balanga), with Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David concelebrating.

A few hours after the announcement of Aquino's death, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a ten-day "period of national mourning" from June 24 to July 3. All national flags were flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.{{Cite news |last=Kabiling |first=Genalyn |date=June 24, 2021 |title=PH declares 10 days of national mourning for Aquino |work=Manila Bulletin |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/24/ph-declares-10-days-of-national-mourning-for-aquino/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624130741/https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/24/ph-declares-10-days-of-national-mourning-for-aquino/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}

The funeral rites of Aquino were covered by Radyo Katipunan, the radio arm of his alma mater, for the wake and Radio Television Malacañang for his burial.{{Cite news |date=June 25, 2021 |title=Ilang supporters nagpunta sa Ateneo para sa huling sulyap kay PNoy |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/ilang-supporters-nagpunta-sa-ateneo-para-sa-huling-sulyap-kay-pnoy |url-status=live |access-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626103905/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/25/21/ilang-supporters-nagpunta-sa-ateneo-para-sa-huling-sulyap-kay-pnoy |archive-date=June 26, 2021}}

Foreign honors

• {{flag|Qatar}}: Collar of the Order of Independence (April 11, 2012){{Cite news |date=April 11, 2012 |title=Emir makes Qatar's first-ever state visit to the Philippines |work=Doha News |url=http://dohanews.co/emir-makes-qatars-first-ever-state-visit-to-the/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224033407/https://www.dohanews.co/emir-makes-qatars-first-ever-state-visit-to-the/ |archive-date=December 24, 2021}}
• {{flag|Kuwait}}: Collar of the Order of Mubarak the Great (March 23, 2012){{Cite news |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Kuwait's Amir arrives Friday for five-day state visit |work=President.gov.ph |publisher=Office of the President |access-date=March 17, 2016 |url=http://president.gov.ph/news/kuwaits-amir-arrives-friday-for-fiveday-state-visit/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160210195823/http://president.gov.ph/news/kuwaits-amir-arrives-friday-for-fiveday-state-visit/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-02-10 }}
• {{flag|Indonesia}}: First Class (Adipurna) of the Star of the Republic of Indonesia (October 10, 2014){{Cite news |last=Bacani |first=Louis |date=October 9, 2014 |title=Indonesia to bestow highest gov't award on Aquino |work=The Philippine Star |url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/09/1378281/indonesia-bestow-highest-govt-award-aquino |access-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711002552/http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/09/1378281/indonesia-bestow-highest-govt-award-aquino |archive-date=July 11, 2015}}{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2014 |title=Briefer: Bintang Republik Indonesia (Star of the Republic of Indonesia) |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/10/10/briefer-bintang-republik-indonesia-star-of-the-republic-of-indonesia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113111802/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/10/10/briefer-bintang-republik-indonesia-star-of-the-republic-of-indonesia/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}
• {{flag|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}: Collar of the Order pro merito Melitensi (March 4, 2015){{Cite news |date=April 3, 2015 |title=Philippines: Order of Malta delivers 700 homes to survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. Grand Master received by President Aquino |work=orderofmalta.int |url=http://www.orderofmalta.int/news/77354/philippines-order-of-malta-delivers-700-homes-to-survivors-of-typhoon-yolanda-grand-master-received-by-president-aquino/?lang=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914221813/http://www.orderofmalta.int/news/77354/philippines-order-of-malta-delivers-700-homes-to-survivors-of-typhoon-yolanda-grand-master-received-by-president-aquino/?lang=en |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-14 }}
• {{flag|Japan}}: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (June 2, 2015){{Cite web |date=January 21, 2014 |title=Filipino recipients of Japanese decorations and Japanese recipients of Philippine decorations |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/filipino-recipients-of-japanese-decorations-and-japanese-recipients-of-philippine-decorations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200056/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/filipino-recipients-of-japanese-decorations-and-japanese-recipients-of-philippine-decorations/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}{{Cite news |date=June 3, 2015 |title=Japan's monarch welcomes President Aquino in ceremonial rites |work=President.gov.ph |publisher=Office of the President |url=http://president.gov.ph/news/japans-monarch-welcomes-president-aquino-in-ceremonial-rites/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160210195825/http://president.gov.ph/news/japans-monarch-welcomes-president-aquino-in-ceremonial-rites/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-02-10 |access-date=March 17, 2016}}
• {{flag|Chile}}: Collar of the Order of Merit (2015){{cite web |last1=Jarufe Bader |first1=Juan Pablo |title="Orden al Mérito Bernardo O'Higgins". Normativa y galardonados |url=https://obtienearchivo.bcn.cl/obtienearchivo?id=repositorio/10221/34962/1/___Orden_al_Merito_Bernardo_O_Higgins___._Normativa_y_galardonados.pdf |publisher=Library of the National Congress of Chile |access-date=7 February 2024|language=es}}

National Honors

• 45px Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of Rizal{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.knights-of-rizal.org/our-story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615010658/https://www.knights-of-rizal.org/our-story/ |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |website=Knights of Rizal}} (February 17, 2011)

Honorary degrees

File:President Aquino during his conferment ceremony at the Lecture Hall of the Keating Hall, Fordham University, New York.jpg, New York in September 2011]]

• Fordham University – Honorary doctoral degree in Economics (September 19, 2011){{Cite news |date=September 20, 2011 |title=Philippine President Receives Honorary Degree |work=Fordham News |publisher=Fordham University |url=https://news.fordham.edu/politics-and-society/philippine-president-receives-honorary-degree/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922025121/https://news.fordham.edu/politics-and-society/philippine-president-receives-honorary-degree/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021}}
• Centro Escolar University – Honorary doctoral degree in Economics (April 11, 2012){{Cite news |date=April 11, 2012 |title=President Aquino's speech upon being conferred a Doctorate of Laws, Honoris Causa, by CEU, April 11, 2012 |work=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/04/11/president-aquinos-speech-upon-being-conferred-a-doctorate-of-laws-honoris-causa-april-11-2012/ |access-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729151846/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/04/11/president-aquinos-speech-upon-being-conferred-a-doctorate-of-laws-honoris-causa-april-11-2012/ |archive-date=July 29, 2021}}
• Kasetsart University – Honorary doctoral degree in Economics{{Cite news |date=May 27, 2011 |title=PNoy receives 3rd honorary doctorate |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/27/11/pnoy-receives-3rd-honorary-doctorate |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624222337/https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/27/11/pnoy-receives-3rd-honorary-doctorate |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}
• University of the Philippines Diliman – Honorary doctoral degree in Law{{Cite news |date=April 18, 2017 |title=UP offers honorary doctorate degree to Duterte |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/890125/up-offers-honorary-doctorate-degree-to-duterte |url-status=live |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204242/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/890125/up-offers-honorary-doctorate-degree-to-duterte |archive-date=June 24, 2021}}
• Sophia University – Honorary doctoral degree in Law (December 13, 2014){{Cite web |title=RTVM |url=https://rtvm.gov.ph/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402015712/https://rtvm.gov.ph/ |archive-date=April 2, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |website=Radio Television Malacañang}}
• Tarlac State University – Honorary doctoral degree in Humanities (May 14, 2015){{Cite web |date=May 14, 2015 |title=Speech: President Aquino is conferred a doctorate in humanities from the Tarlac State University |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/05/14/speech-president-aquino-is-conferred-a-doctorate-in-humanities-from-the-tarlac-state-university/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729153725/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/05/14/speech-president-aquino-is-conferred-a-doctorate-in-humanities-from-the-tarlac-state-university/ |archive-date=July 29, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines}}
• Loyola Marymount University – Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree (February 17, 2016){{Cite news |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Philippine President Benigno Aquino III Receives Honorary Degree From LMU |publisher=Loyola Marymount University |url=http://newsroom.lmu.edu/2016/02/18/philippine-president-benigno-aquino-iii-receives-honorary-degree-from-lmu/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109080834/http://newsroom.lmu.edu/2016/02/18/philippine-president-benigno-aquino-iii-receives-honorary-degree-from-lmu/ |archive-date=November 9, 2017}}

Recognitions

• Winner of the 2021 De La Salle University Tañada-Diokno School of Law Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Award
• Named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2013 by Time{{Cite magazine |last=Chua-Eoan |first=Howard |date=April 18, 2013 |title=The 100 Most influential people in the world |url=https://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/noynoy-aquino/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621222236/http://time100.time.com/2013/04/18/time-100/slide/noynoy-aquino/ |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2021 |url-access=limited}}
• United States: City Council Resolution on welcoming the President to Chicago presented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel (May 6, 2015){{Cite web |date=May 7, 2015 |title=photo 06 - 050715 |url=https://pcoo.gov.ph/photos-may2015/photo06-050715.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710223608/https://pcoo.gov.ph/photos-may2015/photo06-050715.htm |archive-date=July 10, 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=Presidential Communications Operations Office}}

{{Portal|Philippines|Biography|Politics}}

• Noynoying
• Political positions of Benigno Aquino III
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• {{Official website|http://www.president.gov.ph/}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100209034426/http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/aquino_noynoy_bio.asp Official profile] in the website of the Senate of the Philippines
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAJj48uXof0 Inaugural Address of President Benigno Aquino III | June 30, 2010]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4_9vbu5M5I President Benigno Aquino III's First State of the Nation Address | July 26, 2010]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWquwG1Z8aU President Benigno Aquino III's Second State of the Nation Address | July 25, 2011]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JWyScwuTeI President Aquino's speech before the United Nations General Assembly | September 24, 2010]

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