UNITED NATIONS, Aug 1 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his deep sadness here Saturday over the passing of former Philippine President, Corazon Aquino, the first woman to lead her country.

    Ban paid tribute to the former president for her "exceptional courage and pivotal role in the restoration and consolidation of democracy in the Philippines," which she governed from 1986 to 1992.

    "Mrs. Aquino will be remembered as a beacon of democracy not only in the Philippines but also around the world," Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

    According to media reports, 76-year-old Aquino had been diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer last year and confined to hospital for over a month.

    The secretary-general extended his "sincere condolences to the bereaved family of the late president and to the government and people of the Philippines."