FALSE: Noynoy Aquino’s death caused by lung cancer, cardiac arrest

At a glance

• Claim: Former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died of lung cancer and cardiac arrest.
• Rating: FALSE
• The facts: The Aquino family disclosed that the cause of Aquino’s death was renal disease secondary to diabetes, and that he died “peacefully in his sleep.”
• Why we fact-checked this: The video containing the claim has gained 70,710 views, 1,500 likes, and 535 comments, as of writing. It is still gaining views as of June 29. The claim had been posted on Facebook pages, and was still being shared as of June 26.

Complete details

A video uploaded on June 24 by YouTube channel “Showbiz Fanaticz” falsely claimed that former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died of lung cancer and cardiac arrest. 

The video with the claim was titled, “JUST IN: Atty. Trexie (sic) Angeles KINUMPIRMA NG LUNG CAN CER at ATAKE SA PUSO ang IKINAMATAY ni PNOY!” (JUST IN: Atty Trexie (sic) Angeles confirmed that the causes of PNoy’s death are lung cancer and cardiac arrest.)

It cited a post by lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles on her Facebook page. Angeles’ post read, “Confirmed po ang reports ng pagpanaw ni dating presidente Noynoy Aquino (the reports that former president Noynoy Aquino has died are confirmed) allegedly due to cardiac arrest incident to stage 4 lung cancer. Our sympathies to the family.”

The video also cited a report by the Manila Bulletin. 

As of writing, the video has garnered 70,710 views, 1,500 likes, and 535 comments, and counting. The claim had been posted by Facebook pages and was still being shared as of June 26.

This claim is false.

According to the statement of the Aquino family, read by Noynoy Aquino’s sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada on Thursday, June 24, the cause of their brother’s death was renal disease secondary to diabetes.

“It is with profound grief that on behalf of our family, I am confirming that our brother, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ S. Aquino III, died peacefully in his sleep. His death certificate pronounced his death at 6:30 am due to renal disease secondary to diabetes,” Abellada said. (READ: Kidney failure, diabetes: The health conditions Noynoy Aquino battled)

After the confirmation of the cause of Aquino’s death, Angeles uploaded a separate post correcting her previous one. She also edited her initial post.

Angeles stated in her post, “Correcting earlier reports. The official cause of death of former President Noynoy Aquino is Renal Disease secondary to Diabetes.” 

Meanwhile, as of June 29, the Manila Bulletin article says, “Aquino, son of pro-democracy icons the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon Aquino, died ‘peacefully in his sleep,’ announced his sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada with ‘profound grief.’”

“The former President, fondly called PNoy during his stint in Malacañang, reportedly battled lung and kidney ailments and went through dialysis in preparation for a kidney transplant. He previously had an angioplasty,” the report adds.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung cancer is a disease in which cells in the lungs grow out of control. Most cases of lung cancer are due to smoking. Meanwhile, heart.org defines cardiac arrest as the sudden loss of heart function that may or may not be caused by a heart ailment.

Meanwhile, Aquino’s cause of death, which is renal disease secondary to diabetes, is when the kidneys of a person are not able to support the body healthily because it functions for only 10% to 15%. Dialysis and transplantation are needed.

Aquino was laid to rest beside his parents, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon Aquino, at the Manila Memorial Park on Saturday, June 26.

Read other false claims by Showbiz Fanaticz, as fact-checked by Rappler:

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• FALSE: Japanese gov’t publication reported Duterte’s highest rating among Asian leaders

– Nicole Anne Perez/Rappler.com

Nicole Anne Perez is a Rappler intern. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.

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