Necro rites for Laurel today

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., executive committee chairman of the Nacionalista Party, yesterday said he will work on one of the last wishes of the late Vice President Salvador Laurel to revive the Nacionalista Party (NP).

Even leaders of the Liberal Party (LP), the other political party that dominated the country’s post-World War II politics, prepared to honor the late NP leader with LP executive vice president and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza leading a delegation which will participate necrological rites for Laurel today.

Villar said Laurel also wanted to see the country’s political system revert to the two-party system, which used to be dominated by the NP and the LP.

The senator is set to lead today the Nacionalista Party’s necrological services for Laurel at the Capilla del Señor and Capilla dela Virgen, Santuario de San Antonio at Forbes Park in Makati City at 2 p.m.

At the request of the Laurel family, Atienza will also deliver a eulogy to Laurel.

"We have lost a great Filipino leader, one who has dedicated most of his life for the struggle to restore freedom and democracy in the Philippines. He left a legacy of committed and honest public service to us who consider him a good friend and mentor," Atienza said.

Laurel’s ashes will arrive from Atherton, California via Philippine Airlines at 6:30 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Villar said public officials and political candidates should reflect on the selfless ways of Laurel, especially when he yielded his presidential bid in 1985 to Corazon Aquino despite his wide popularity and eligibility.

"For Doy, establishing a united opposition against an oppressive regime is far more important than personal ambition. For Doy, national welfare is paramount to personal interest," he said.