MANILA, Philippines — Former president Corazon Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer after a series of laboratory tests at the Makati Medical Center, her family said in a statement on Monday.The statement, which was read by daughter and actress Kris Aquino, said the icon of Philippine democracy suffered from an episode of high-blood pressure and difficulty in breathing followed by fever during the week in between Christmas and New Year. Since that time, the family became concerned because of her persistent cough, loss of appetite, and her noticeable weight loss. "Our mom wanted to know what was wrong with her, and with her family by her side, she submitted herself to a check-up and several tests. The results show that our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon," the statement said. "Our mother has always believed in being upfront over and above everything else. She is a woman who has lived her entire life entrusting to the lord, and she has always been a woman of great faith," it said. The statement said it was the decision of the former president for family members to release an official statement so that people would understand what she was going through. "Nakikiusap po kami na sana ay maintindihan niyo na kailangan po ng aming ina, kagaya ng lahat ng pasyenteng nagpapagaling, ng panahon po ng katahimikan (We are asking the public to understand that our mother, just like any other patient battling a disease, a period of peace),” the statement added. "It's a very difficult time for our family, most especially our mother. We respectfully asked that she be accorded her privacy," the statement added. Deedee Sytangco, Aquino's spokesperson, said she was saddened by the report and asked the people to pray for early recovery. Sytangco said she already suspected that something was wrong with the former President's health, which started to deteriorate since Christmas. "I think they had it confirmed a few days ago. This is a very private matter so I never asked. It's only now that I know after the official announcement," Sytangco said. Aquino, widow of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr., became president of the Philippines after the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. She was a recipient of the 1998 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding. Considered as one of the World's Elite Women Who Make a Difference by the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame of 2005, Aquino has been overseeing microfinance projects for beginning entrepreneurs, social welfare and scholarship assistance through the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, which she set up after her husband's death. /Inquirer | 
