Prayers held for Cory from across the political spectrum
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/03/2009 1:16 AM
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MANILA - As former president Corazon Aquino continues her fight against colon cancer, people from across all political fronts - even her erstwhile staunchest political foes - have all expressed concern and offered prayers for the stricken leader.
On Thursday, at the Greenbelt Chapel in Makati City, some of her close friends and supporters, including former President Joseph Estrada, his wife Loi Ejercito and son Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada attended a healing mass and novena and appealed to the public to pray for her immediate recovery.
Fr. Jun Sescon, chaplain of the Greenbelt Chapel, officiated the mass, and called on the public, including politicians, to pray for the ailing former leader.
Sescon also said that he hopes everyone praying for Aquino should do it as an "act of sincere faith."
Deedee Siytangco, Aquino's spokesperson, said that family members were not able to attend the mass, as with Wednesday's mass, because they preferred to stay with Cory.
Siytangco also said that she is 'very grateful' that everyone is praying for her right now, and that she is aware of the prayer masses for her healing.
Also among those at the mass were Margie Juico, Aquino's former appointment secretary, Pangasinan 4th district Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. and Gina de Venecia, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and Mila Drilon, among others.
Also Thursday, during the press conference of the Concerned Citizens' Movement, Grace Poe-Llamanzares, daughter of the late Fernando Poe Jr., led a moment of silence to pray for Mrs. Aquino.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, in a statement, also called for prayers for her recovery.
"Few have contributed so much for the democratic space Filipinos now possess. Let us all pray for the turnaround of Cory's condition and her recovery," the statement read.
'Now that the institutions of that democracy have been weakened by continuous and continuing assaults by the powers that be, all the more does the nation need her uncompromising faith in democracy and her unflinching advocacy for good governance," he added.
From the other side of the political fence
Even those at the opposite side of the political spectrum have offered their prayers and support for the ill leader.
Malacañang has also said they are one with the public in praying for Mrs. Aquino.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that President Arroyo is hoping for Mrs. Aquino, one of her predecessors, be able to hurdle this health crisis.
Remonde said that despite Mrs. Aquino being part of the opposition, they are putting aside politics at this time because the health of the former leader is at stake.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Anthony Golez also said that he is saddened by this development, especially because she has been instrumental in bringing democracy back in the country.
Former political foes speak
Political figures who were among the biggest thorns in the side of Aquino's presidency also spoke up, offering their prayers and support.
Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan, two of Aquino’s staunchest critics during her administration, were among those praying for her.
"I would pray for her and hope that the Lord will embrace her, if it should come to that. And if there's any way for a miracle to happen, i wish that it would happen," Enrile, who was fired by Aquino from her Cabinet on suspicions of participating in coup attempts, said.
"I've had my political differences with Cory during her time as president but that is a part of our role in society. Nothing personal about it... On a personal basis I've always had a high respect for her," he said.
"We join our colleague, Senator Noynoy Aquino, in asking for prayers for former president Aquino," Honasan said.
Honasan said that the coup attempts he led back in the 80s, when Aquino was president, is not an issue anymore.
"Public interest demands na we all go through an act of forgetfullness para humilom na ang mga sugat. 'Pag hindi natin ginawa ito, back to the same vicious cycle," he said.
He even personally approached Aquino during the proclamation of the winners of the elections for the Senate back in 2007, when both Honasan and her son, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III won.
"I approached her and congratulated for having a son in the Senate. Ang punto ko lang dito: that's to me a non-issue," he said.
Both Enrile and Honasan believe that the wounds of history were due to principles and politics, and that it would be healed by time.
Even former First Lady Imelda Marcos, wife of Aquino's biggest political rival and former president Ferdinand Marcos, offered her 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. With reports from Lynda Jumilla, Nadia Trinidad, Niña Corpuz, and Maricar Bautista, ABS-CBN News
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