06 December 2013 - The Philippines joins the Nation of South Africa and the whole world in mourning the passing of a great man. Nelson Mandela was not only a courageous and compassionate champion of democracy and racial equality for his own country, but also  stood as a beacon of inspiration and hope for all those who sought freedom in every corner of the globe, including the Philippines.

The Philippines will forever be honored to have hosted President Mandela’s Visit to our country in 1997 and recall with pride and appreciation his historic meeting with a fellow icon of democracy, the late Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino in Capetown in the same year.

The late President Mandela’s extraordinary integrity, his tireless commitment and his grand vision that embraced equality for all even under the most trying of circumstances shall never be forgotten. Filipinos who stood in the vanguard of the world’s struggles for freedom with our very own People Power stand in solidarity at this sad moment with our brothers and sisters in South Africa and with those who love freedom everywhere. END