Flags in several areas across the country were half-masted as the Philippines mourned the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Flags at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay City and the House of Representatives in Quezon City were flown at half-staff on Thursday, June 24. Aquino was a Tarlac congressman for 9 years and a senator from 2007 to 2010, before he ascended to the presidency.

The Supreme Court also ordered all flags in courts nationwide to be flown at half-mast.

Within Malacañang, the official residence of the president, all Phillippine flags were lowered not until around 1 pm.

In capital city Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno said that all flags within the city were to be lowered to mourn the former president’s passing.

In Tarlac City, Olongapo City, and the province of Albay, flags were also flown at half-staff.

Local government offices in the Visayas and Mindanao, including Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Mandaue City, Dinagat Islands, Zamboanga City, Davao City, also half-masted.

National flags in all military camps were also flown at half-mast to honor the late president and commander-in-chief.

Under Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, flags should be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all buildings and places where it is displayed.

For the death of a president or a former president, flags should be placed at half-staff for 10 days.

According to Aquino’s family, the former president died in his sleep at 6:30 am on Thursday. The cause of death was renal disease secondary to diabetes. He was 61.

Aquino is remembered as the Philippine leader who brought China to court and the one that helped the economy grow that the country was cited as the fastest-growing in Asia with a 6.9% growth. – Rappler.com