By Azer Parrocha/PNA
MANILA — Malacañang on Saturday mourned the passing of former US President George Herbert Walker Bush, describing him as a president who “stood for freedom.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Malacañang is “deeply saddened” by Bush’s demise.
“The Palace is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President George Herbert Walker Bush of the United States of America,” Panelo said.
“He stood for freedom and his words about the subject ring a bell until this day when he said, ‘The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world,’” he added.
Panelo also credited Bush, the 41st US president, for his foreign policy that saw the end of the Cold War.
He, meanwhile, expressed condolences to Bush’s family, friends, the US government, and all Americans on the former president’s passing.
“On behalf of the Filipino nation and people, we wish to convey our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Bush, as well as to the government and the people of the United States of America,” Panelo said.
Bush died at the age of 94 on Friday (Nov. 30), a statement from his office said.
Reports showed he was taken to hospital in April with an infection that spread to the blood, shortly after the funeral of his wife, Barbara.
The former US president suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
Bush served two terms as vice president of Ronald Reagan before he became Chief Executive after winning the 1988 polls.
He served as US president from 1989 to 1993.
