Filipinos took to their respective social media accounts Tuesday to remember the late President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, popularly known as ‘PNoy,’ who died of an illness four years ago with many including seasoned lawyer Leila de Lima missing his quiet and principled leadership.
In a statement, De Lima thanked Aquino for his trust, recalling the time she spent serving as his justice secretary when she was allowed to pursue accountability by confronting the powerful. “He gave no instructions beyond this: ‘Do what is right,’” she said.
“Under his leadership, I experienced what it was like to serve without fear, because you knew that you were being defended by principle. There was no coercion, no favoritism, no expectation of favors in return,” said De Lima, the incoming representative of Mamamayang Liberal party-list.
The human rights advocate and former senator credited PNoy for allowing the truth to take its course during his administration, “even when it meant shaking the status quo.” She praised his leadership style, describing it as governance with “quiet discipline and fierce commitment to integrity.”
“As Secretary of Justice, the path was not easy. But under a leader whose intentions were upright, the direction was clear. We could hold the corrupt accountable, reform broken systems, and serve the people without second-guessing whether justice was politically convenient,” De Lima said.
“To this day, I carry his trust. That trust became a compass during my years in detention, when everything around me felt uncertain. I held on to the memory of his example: the restraint, the clarity, the honesty. I was reminded that leadership doesn’t always raise its voice,” she added.
Other netizens also remembered PNoy on his fourth death anniversary, highlighting his best moments as president, including the way he defended the Filipinos’ interests in the West Philippine Sea. Some also praised him for not making any excuses when he attended a Senate hearing after his term ended.
“No wheelchair. No neck brace. No fake med cert (medical certificate). If you’re not hiding anything, there’s nothing to fear. That is true bravery, not only in words, but in actions,” wrote a social media user on X (formerly Twitter) in Tagalog.
The Aquino family along with their friends and supporters held a mass at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, where PNoy was laid to rest together with his parents—democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino.
“Many of us are hopeful again. May we find ways to share that hope with our fellow Filipinos…and as one nation, may we, as we did with Tito Noy, make that hope bear fruit once more,” said his nephew Kiko Aquino Dee.
De Lima ended her statement expressing deep gratitude to the late president. “President Noy, thank you. You did not make noise, but your message resonated. You did not show off, but the people saw you,” she said.
“Amid the noise of politics, you remain the reminder that governance can be honorable. Your legacy is not applause, but accountability. Not shouting, but principle. And in the hearts of those of us who continue to believe in truth, justice, and dignity, you are still here,” De Lima added.