Political affiliations were temporarily forgotten when people from across the political spectrum expressed their sadness - and hope - after news came out Monday that former president Corazon Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

Aquino's condition was made public in a statement made by her youngest daughter, TV host Kris Aquino-Yap.

Although Aquino has been a critic of the Arroyo administration for some time now, officials and other personalities affiliated with the administration expressed their solidarity with the former president.

In a statement, Malacañang said it is "deeply saddened" upon hearing the news, which reached them during boxing star Manny Pacquiao's courtesy call with President Arroyo.

"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," the Palace statement read.

After the courtesy call, Pacquiao said that people should pray for Aquino's recovery.

"Idasal natin na sana gumaling," Pacquiao said.

For his part, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said: "In times of adversity we will pray for her speedy recovery. I'm sure the President would be one in praying for her speedy recovery."

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza, meanwhile, said: "Nanaig ang pagkakaisa behind Cory noon, and so we are concerned with her health today."

Sen. Edgardo Angara also expressed sadness about the news, saying that he owed Aquino his political career when she "personally handpicked" him to run for the Senate in 1987.

From the church's side, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales assured the Aquino family that members of the clergy will be praying for the former president's health.

Opposition stalwarts, with whom Aquino is currently allied with, also expressed their support for her.

Former president Joseph Estrada, who recently shared the stage with Aquino in the February 29 interfaith rally for truth in Makati, is likewise deeply saddened by former president Aquino’s illness.

He said it is unfortunate since Mrs. Aquino is at the forefront of the search for truth and democracy.

"The unfortunate news also comes at such a bad time as Pres. Aquino has been one of those at the forefront in the search for truth and the restoration of real democracy in our country," Estrada's statement read.

Senate's star witness on the national broadband deal probe Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, on the other hand, said that he will not let Aquino, one of his main supporters, down.

"Lahat ng mga bilin nya sa akin mas lalo kong pangangatawanan, mas lalo kong gagawin. Kumbaga mas lalo kong susundin yung mga tagubilin nya sa 'kin," Lozada said.

Aquino had accompanied Lozada in the weekly Sunday "Mass for Truth" held in churches in schools for more than a month now.

The Black and White Movement meanwhile called Aquino "an imperturbable icon of democracy," and that "the good Lord will heed the prayers of a whole nation and grant her divine healing."

Makati mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay also called on Filipinos to rally behind Aquino through prayer.

"Former President Aquino has always stood by our side in our trying moments as a nation and as a people. Now it is time for us to stand by her side as she faces another trial in her life," he said.

"We have drawn strength and inspiration from her. Now is the time for us to show our support through our prayers so she may gain the strength and courage to face her present condition," he added.

The Makati Business Club also issued a statement for Aquino's recovery.

"We are very sad to hear the news of former President Corazon Aquino's sickness. She has been a beacon in a dark and turbulent sea Filipinos are navigating. We pray for her recovery," said the business group.

Meanwhile, two of former president Aquino’s closest friends, former Senate president Franklin Drilon and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim could not help but be emotional upon learning of Cory’s illness.

"Cory has become a good friend and she has done so much for the country, I know she'll survive this... She always fights, this is just another challenge in her life," Drilon said, fighting back tears.

Drilon said he observed that Aquino had lost weight in their last meeting at a mass for truth in La Salle Greenhills with Lozada.

"I noted that she has lost weight, although I sincerely said that it was becoming of her, bagay sa kanya na pumayat siya, hindi ko naman akalain na dahil sa sakit niya," Drilon said.

Lim, for his part, said he also noticed that the former president look weak during the mass for truth at the University of Santo Tomas.

I've noticed in the last few days that her cheeks and face is becoming gaunt. Sabi ko, bakit kaya, ano bang inisip, kasi hindi naman ganun ang kanyang facial personality, masaya yon, palaging nakangiti," Lim said.

Lim and Drilon said that they will stand by Aquino and help see her through this phase of her life.

"Ako, personally, I will pray harder for your recovery... She is a good lady. She's a good president," an emotional Lim said.

"Remember Cory, that the people love you, and we will be with you all the way," Drilon said.

Aquino-Yap said her mother underwent several tests after being hospitalized for high blood pressure last December.

She said the Aquinos opted to tell the public because they still believe in the power of prayers in the hope that millions of Filipinos will pray for the fomer president. Kris' brother, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, also urged the public to respect their family's privacy. With reports from Karen Davila and Nadia Trinidad, ABS-CBN News