Manila  - Filipinos gathered in churches around the Philippines on Thursday to pray for former president Corazon Aquino, who has been confined in hospital for weeks due to colon cancer.

Family members and friends led masses and prayers for Aquino, 76, who became president in 1986 after a four-day popular revolt ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Aquino, considered a democratic icon in the Philippines, was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008.

While Aquino underwent chemotherapy and was responding well to the treatment for some time, her health deteriorated last month, prompting her children to bring her to hospital.

She has been in the intensive care unit since June 24.

"All of us are concerned about the former president," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said. "We are really praying very seriously that she may recover."

Senators also joined the call for prayers for Aquino.

"We will forever be indebted to President Cory for her significant contribution to the restoration of democracy in the country," Senator Manny Villar said.

"In this time when there are serious threats to our democracy, she remains the icon that our people turn to for hope," he added.

Aquino has been a key leader of the opposition against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has been accused of electoral fraud, corruption and other anomalies.

While Aquino initially supported the president, she changed her position when Arroyo was accused of massive cheating in the May 2004 presidential election. (dpa)