Kris Aquino, a former television personality, said in a family statement the former president had suffered from high blood pressure and experienced difficulty in breathing early this year, Philippines' national television network ABS-CBN News reported.

Subsequent tests showed, "our mother is suffering from cancer of the colon," the statement said.

Corazon Aquino will undergo chemotherapy starting Tuesday, the report said.

She is the wife of the late opposition Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., who was assassinated in 1983 upon his return from exile. That led to a massive national uprising that brought down the dictatorial regime of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

That same year, Corazon Aquino was elected the first woman president of the Philippines.

"We are deeply saddened by the news of President Aquino's illness and wish to convey our heartfelt prayers and sincerest wishes for her complete healing," said Ignacio Bunye, press secretary to current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, GMANews reported.