Close adviser of Cory, Noynoy passes away

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Banana magnate Jesus “Chito” Ayala, a close adviser of the late former President Corazon Aquino and even his son President Aquino, died Tuesday in a hospital here after succumbing to multiple organ failure due to kidney illness and heart problem.

Ayala, 82, was said to be the most trusted and closest adviser of the late president, as he also served as legislative liaison officer.

Ayala was the leader of the “Yellow Friday” movement that started in this city in the early 1980s which also paved the way for the late president to seek the highest office in the land against the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The late president slept at the residence of the Ayalas whenever she was in Davao City even long after she stepped down from office.

Mother and son consulted Ayala before each of them sought the presidency: she, in the 1986 snap elections, and he, in the May 2010 presidential polls.

The President actually followed the path his late mother took when they were both faced with the problem of whether to run for president or not, and that was to seek the advice of Ayala before they individually went on spiritual discernment with Sister Agnes of the Carmelite Monastery in Zamboanga City.

Ayala was president and founder of the JVA Management Corp.’s group of companies that runs agricultural plantations.

During the term of the late president until the early 2000s, Ayala served as chairman of the Southern Mindanao Regional Development Council.

He was said to be at the forefront of development programs in the region until his illness.

Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said Ayala’s death is a big loss to the region.

“There was nothing in his mind but the development of the city and the region as a whole. He was a man for others who was always helping other people in many different ways,” Duterte said.

Ayala’s remains were cremated yesterday morning at the Davao Memorial Park crematorium and his ashes were brought to the Bulwagan Hall of the family residence at Juna Subdivision here.

Ayala’s eldest son, Miguel, said they would make further announcements on the funeral services for his father.