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The Philippine government — through Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte — has released a statement on the passing of Lee Kuan Yew, founding father and first prime minister of Singapore.
In a statement posted on Gov.ph, Valte wrote that President Benigno Aquino III joins the Filipino people “in expressing the solidarity of the Philippines with Singapore at this time of mourning.” The statement said that President Aquino also “extends his personal condolences to Prime Minister Lee Hsien-Loong.”
The statement pointed out that “Prime Minister Lee has always extended every official and personal courtesy to the President Aquino in his visits to Singapore and their official interactions in the ASEAN community.”
The official statement likewise highlighted the Singapore founding father’s accomplishments as a leader. It read: “Throughout his long life, as prime minister and senior minister, Lee demonstrated an unswerving devotion to his country, turning it into a state that would be an exemplar of efficient, modern, and honest governance. The development of Singapore has earned it the respect of nations and peoples, including the tens of thousands of Filipinos who work there and visit the country.”
