MANILA - Malacañang on Saturday sent the Philippines' condolences to the United States on the passing of former United States President George H.W. Bush, who died at age 94.

• Former US President George H.W. Bush dies at 94

"On behalf of the Filipino nation and people, we wish to convey our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Bush, as well as to the government and the people of the United States of America," Malacañang said in a statement.

"He stood for freedom and his words about the subject ring a bell until this day when he said, 'The anchor in our world today is freedom, holding us steady in times of change, a symbol of hope to all the world.'"

Bush was known to have provided air cover for President Corazon Aquino in 1989 when she faced a coup attempt.

Bush was the 41st US president, serving from 1989 to 1993. His son George W. Bush later took over the White House, serving as President for two terms from 2001 to 2009.

The former US leader, who suffered from Parkinson's disease and was wheelchair-bound, had been hospitalized on several occasions for various ailments in recent years, including pneumonia.

He was admitted to the Houston Methodist Hospital in April shortly after the funeral of his wife, Barbara. He was treated for a blood infection.

-- With Reuters