MANILA, July 2, 2009 (AFP) - Former Philippine president Corazon Aquino has left her fate to God, her family said Thursday after she reportedly refused further chemotherapy or other medical treatment in her fight against colon cancer.

The 76-year-old Aquino, who led the Philippines from 1986 to 1992 after the fall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, “has been battling cancer with much courage for a year and a half,” her family said in a statement.

“Her current hospitalization was necessary because of her loss of appetite, caused by fluid build-up in her stomach area. We remain in complete trust in God’s infinite healing power.”

The statement did not comment on Aquino’s prognosis and did not confirm or deny comments by her publicist published by a Manila newspaper on Thursday.

Spokeswoman Deedee Siytangco wrote in the Manila Bulletin that Arroyo and her family decided “in consultation with her doctors” that she should leave intensive care.

“She is no longer receiving any chemotherapy or any other medical interventions,” she said, quoting a family member.

Family members were at her bedside, she added.

Reporters who converged at the hospital were asked to leave, an AFP photographer said, before the family issued the statement in the afternoon.

“Our family wishes to thank the Filipino people for your prayers and outpouring of love and concern for our mother,” the statement said.

“She has and always will be a woman of faith, a fighter, a source of hope and inspiration for all of us, not just her family but our entire nation as well.

“Just like she has always taught us by her life’s example, we entrust everything to God.”

Aquino’s official website said daily masses would be said for the ailing ex-president until next week.

Her former political foes ex-president Joseph Estrada and former first lady Imelda Marcos offered their prayers.

“I asked all these people to offer prayers to her. I have peace in my heart and am comfortable with the truth. I am praying for her safe recovery,” Marcos said as she handed out bags of rice at a northern Manila slum to celebrate her 80th birthday Thursday.

The murder of Aquino’s husband, Benigno Aquino Junior, in 1983 led to widespread street protests that culminated three years later in the toppling of Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled the Philippines for 20 years with an iron hand.

Aquino was installed as president shortly thereafter.

She is regarded as a symbol of the country’s return to democracy, although her six-year term was marked by several bloody coup attempts.