Sen. Imee Marcos on Thursday offered her condolences to the Aquino family over the passing of former President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, whom she described as a "kind and simple soul."
"My heartfelt condolences to the family of former President Benigno C. Aquino III, a 'classmate' in Congress from 1998 to 2007," Marcos said in a statement after news of Aquino's death broke out.
"I will always treasure the memories of our long years together as freshmen legislators and members of a tiny opposition. For beyond politics and much public acrimony, I knew Noynoy as a kind and simple soul. He will be deeply missed," she added.
The Aquino family has yet to make an official statement on the former President's death as of writing.
The Marcos and Aquino families had a long history of rivalry during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino's father, former Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was a staunch critic for the late strongman.
Ninoy's assassination in 1983 sparked various protests which led to the historic EDSA People Power Revolution three years later, and catapaulted his widow, former President Corazon Aquino to the presidency.
The bloodless revolt also put an end to Marcos' two-decade rule.
