FORMER President Corazon Aquino is suffering from colon cancer, her family said yesterday.

The 75-year-old icon of People Power was diagnosed with the disease two weeks ago, her daughter Kris said in an emotional announcement aired over national television.

Aquino was last seen in public in the Easter mass at the St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City. She was seated beside Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, the star witness in the Senate hearings on the NBN-ZTE broadband deal, as in practically all Masses for the truth about the corruption scandal which have been held for the last two months in Metro Manila

"Our mother 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, we became concerned because of her consistent cough, loss of appetite and noticeable weight loss," a family statement read by Kris said.

Kris was joined by her brother Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III in making the announcement.

"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 showed that our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon," the statement said.

The family gave no additional details on Aquino’s condition and requested that her privacy be respected.

The family asked for prayers for her recovery.

Malacañang said it was saddened by the news.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of President Aquino’s illness and wish to convey our heartfelt prayers and sincerest wishes for her complete healing. We know that with her strength and total trust in God, as well as the love and support of everyone around her, she will be able to surmount this as she has conquered all the other trials in her life," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye said Malacañang joins the country in praying for the speedy recovery of the former president.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her loved ones. In times such as these, though these difficulties may be hard to face, let us place our faith in God for his continued blessings and complete trust in his mercy and kindness," he said.

"I’m sure that the President will be one with us in praying for her speedy recovery," he said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said: "I’m very sorry. We just have to pray that it’s not very, very serious."

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez, a medical doctor, said colon cancer is curable, depending on what stage it is and the kind of treatment that the former president could take.

Senate President Manuel Villar said: "We wish her speedy recovery. Nawa’y makahanap ng mabilis na lunas ang mga doctor ni Pangulong Cory."

He said he was saddened, noting that Ms. Aquino has been active in the search for the truth on the NBN-ZTE contract.

Senate majority leader Francis Pangilinan said his family joins the nation in praying for Aquino’s "complete healing."

"We also pray for strength and courage for the Aquino family as they face this difficult trial," said Pangilinan, a party mate of Sen. Aquino in the Liberal Party.

Sen. Francis Escudero said: "I wish her well and I hope and pray that she recovers from it."

"I join her loved ones and those who care for her, and ask others as well in praying for her immediate healing and a fast recovery," Escudero said.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said the former president has always been an inspiration in fighting corruption.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said he hopes the "angels of truth would guide the former president in her darkest hours and lead her to full recovery."

The rest of the Aquino family statement:

"Our mother has always believed in being up-front. Over and above anything else, she’s a woman who has lived her entire life entrusting everything to the Lord, and she has always been a woman of great faith.

"Ang pamilya po namin ay kagaya lamang ng sa inyo. Mahal na mahal namin ang nanay namin at handa kaming magbigay ng suporta, lakas, at pagkalinga sa oras ng kanyang matinding pagsubok.

"Alam po namin na ang buhay ng aming pamilya ay bahagi na ng kasaysayan ng ating bayan. Desisyon po ng nanay namin na mag-release kami ng statement, para maunawaan ng lahat ang kanyang kasalukuyang kalagayan. Nakikiusap po kami na sana maintindihan ninyo na kailangan ng aming ina, kagaya ng lahat ng pasyenteng nagpapagaling, ng panahon ng katahimikan.

"It’s a very difficult time for our family, most especially for our mother. We respectfully ask that she be accorded her privacy.

"Our mom remains a believer in the power of prayer. We ask for your compassion and for your prayers for our mother’s recovery."

Aquino was president from 1986 to 1992.

The tumultuous events of those weeks in 1986, which culminated when up to a million people waving rosaries and flowers stopped tanks advancing towards Army rebels, became a fairy-tale revolution that gripped the world.

When former President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda fled, it set a precedent for dissidents everywhere, from South Africa to South America to Pakistan. Aquino was hailed a modern-day Joan of Arc.

But she was a reluctant leader at the start, shedding the housewife’s apron only after her husband Benigno was assassinated in 1983 at the Manila international airport on his return from exile in the United States.

Born on January 25, 1933 into one of the country’s richest families, the Cojuangcos, Aquino grew up in a world of wealth and politics, being the daughter of three-time congressman Jose Cojuangco Sr.

Accusing Marcos of ordering the murder, Aquino led protest marches, but was hesitant when snap elections were called in 1986.

"What on earth do I know about being president?" she said before taking up the challenge to run against Marcos.

The specter of army intervention haunted her entire rule.

Natural disasters, including Mount Pinatubo’s huge volcanic eruption in 1991, severely battered the economy.

A devout Catholic, she often turned to her faith to steer her through difficult times.

"There was never any moment that I doubted God would help ... If it was time to die, so be it," she said when rebel soldiers attacked Malacañang in 1987, the first in five coup attempts against her.

She was involved in the protests that brought an end to the presidency of Joseph Estrada in 2001, and has supported the campaign to remove Arroyo.

Last month, she addressed tens of thousands of people gathered in Makati to demand that Arroyo resign.

"I thought my work was done because I am already old," Aquino said, speaking from a makeshift stage in front of a statue of her husband.