Mass for ‘Ninoy’ reunites Cory, GMA, Drilon

Exactly 22 years after former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was felled by an assassin’s bullet, people belonging to opposite sides of the political fence gathered yesterday to honor the man who believed that the Filipino is worth dying for.

His widow, former President Corazon Aquino, heard a Mass at the Manila Memorial Park’s Plaza of Dignity in Sucat, Parañaque City said for Ninoy. She was joined by an unexpected visitor in the person of President Arroyo.

The country’s two most powerful women sat beside each other as they heard a Mass officiated by Fr. Catalino Arevalo yesterday morning. Mrs. Arroyo was accompanied by her daughter Evangeline, son Dato, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

This is the first time the two women were seen together in public since Aquino called for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation last month after opposition leaders accused the President of rigging last year’s presidential vote.

Aquino, in a short speech, thanked Mrs. Arroyo for attending the Mass. Ninoy’s widow even joked about making it to the headlines of newspapers today when she was asked by reporters covering the event for her comments on the President’s "unexpected visit."

Senate President Franklin Drilon, who also called for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation last month, was also at the event to pay tribute to Ninoy.

Drilon, Liberal Party leader, told reporters that Ninoy was the LP’s secretary general when he was assassinated in 1983. Ninoy’s death triggered street protests that led to a military-backed revolt that deposed the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Feb. 25, 1986.

"He sacrificed for the country. He placed his country above himself," Drilon said, calling on the youth to follow the footsteps of the man who gave his life to free Filipinos from martial law imposed by Marcos.

Public figures from the administration and opposition camps made yesterday’s commemoration of Ninoy’s death a colorful, controversial one.

Actress Kris Aquino attended the Mass with her current boyfriend, pro basketball player James Yap, a sight remarked upon by those who have been watching the ups and downs in the former presidential daughter’s lovelife.

Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the late senator’s only son, was among the earliest to arrive for the Mass, but seemed to keep his distance from his mother when she arrived.

Sen. Alfredo Lim, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., and Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. were also there.

Also seated among the crowd were former social welfare secretary Corazon Soliman, former presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles, former National Anti-Poverty Commission head Imelda Nicolas, and former education secretary Florencio Abad, four of the members of the "Hyatt 10," Cabinet officials who resigned en masse last July 8 and called on Mrs. Arroyo to do the same.

The Mass ended without much handshakes or exchange of "beso-beso" or light kisses between the politicians and other public figures who attended. Aquino, however, escorted Mrs. Arroyo to her car and gave her a light kiss on the cheek.

The President was also seen bussing Soliman and Nicolas, and shaking hands with Drilon.

After the Mass, Aquino went on with a ceremony in which she conferred the Ninoy Aquino Foundation’s People Power Award for this year on several microfinancing institutions.

‘Martyr For National Unity’

In a statement, Mrs. Arroyo extolled Ninoy as a "martyr for national unity" and called on Filipinos never to forget "his profound sacrifice" and to revere his memory by fostering unity among all sectors of society.

She said Ninoy, who was also a former journalist, had "a vision for the Philippines that cast down dictatorship and plunder, and elevated democracy and social justice to a high pedestal."

"More than to advance the struggle for freedom, Ninoy came home to bring all Filipinos together behind one nation and one destiny," Mrs. Arroyo said. "Today, we yearn for the same spiritual and moral upliftment, the same strength and courage he brought home to the land."

She said Ninoy had a vision that galvanized ordinary people into doing great things at a time when they lived in fear and want.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Ninoy continues to be a model of selflessness, love for country and heroism.

"Let us honor his memory by uniting for the country," Bunye said. "We are called to put our country before our personal interests. Even in small ways, we can make a difference."

The President also issued yesterday a proclamation declaring that public and private schools nationwide may opt to declare today a holiday. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the proclamation would allow the youth to commemorate Aquino’s martyrdom and reflect on his ideals.

Ermita refused to comment on the opposition’s renewed calls for Mrs. Arroyo to resign, saying such statements are expected from the President’s detractors.

"Political personalities have their own ways or techniques to bring out their calls but I hope that in occasions like these, where we honor (Ninoy), out of respect for his death we should not take advantage (of the occasion) and make such calls," Ermita said.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan warned that the Philippines will continue to suffer from misgovernance and "politics as usual" unless a "critical" number of the country’s political leaders "act on the basis of conviction and principle rather than on political convenience and the furthering of selfish political ambitions" and are "willing to face and suffer the consequences of acting on the basis of one’s conscience and beliefs."

"Ninoy’s sacrifice should serve as a reminder to all those who aspire to move our nation forward," he said in a statement. — With Paolo Romero