PNoy's uncle Butz Aquino passes away

MANILA, Philippines - Former Sen. Agapito "Butz" Aquino, the uncle of President Benigno Aquino III, passed away on Monday.

"Today, the Filipino people lost a committed public servant," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement without giving other details on the former senator's death.

Aquino,who reportedly died of natural causes at 76, was the younger brother of former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

Lacierda noted that Butz Aquino originally wanted a quiet life as an entrepreneur but he became "one of the frontline fighters for the restoration of our democracy" during the Marcos dictatorship.

Lacierda said Aquino was a "prime mover" in the formation of the August 21 Movement and the Bansang Nagkakaisa sa Diwa at Layunin.

"He played a prominent role in the parliament of the streets that fought the dictatorship’s bayonets, truncheons and tear gas with peaceful non-violent assemblies, yellow confetti and ati-atihan drums," Lacierda said.

The Palace official said Aquino was the first public figure to ask Filipinos from all walks of life to gather at the Isetann Department Store and provide civilian protection to soldiers and policemen who decided to go against the Marcos dictatorship.

In the Senate and House of Representatives, Lacierda said Aquino became an advocate of cooperatives and the interests of small farmers.

"He was known for his optimism, his wit and his steadfast dedication to the ideals of his brother Ninoy and sister-in-law Cory," Lacierda said.

"We know that in this time of grief and loss for his family, the Filipino people will take his loved ones into their warm and grateful embrace," he added.