Corazon Aquino has colon cancer

Roman Catholic bishops and political leaders across the Philippines offered prayers today for former president and democracy icon Corazon Aquino after her family announced that she had colon cancer.

Aquino, 75, has started treatment, but no details were available.

Daughter Kris, fighting back tears, read a statement on live television Monday saying her mother had gone in for tests after suffering from high blood pressure, difficulty breathing and other problems during the Christmas holidays.

A homemaker propelled to politics by the assassination of her husband in 1983, Aquino led a peaceful uprising in 1986 that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.