GMA, Erap visit North Cemetery

President Arroyo and ousted President Joseph Estrada visited Manila’s North Cemetery on the occasion of All Saints’ Day yesterday.

Wearing a green shirt and camouflage pants, Mrs. Arroyo joined First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo at the Tuason family mausoleum at 7 a.m. The First Couple left several minutes later after praying and lighting candles.

Estrada, who visited the North Cemetery  in the afternoon, placed a wreath of white flowers at the tomb of Fernando Poe Jr. with the words “To my President FPJ, from Erap.” He was met by Poe’s sister Elizabeth.

Shortly before 4 p.m., the First Couple, accompanied by some family members, arrived at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig, where they were met by government officials including lawmakers, Cabinet members and military and police officers.

Mrs. Arroyo’s entourage proceeded to the tomb of her father, President Diosdado Macapagal, where she offered prayers and flowers.

A Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Emeritus of Palo, Leyte Pedro Dean amid the graves of the soldiers.

In his homily, Dean noted the confusion generated by the political noise in the country and urged Filipinos not to be quick in judging their fellowman.

After the Mass, Mrs. Arroyo led the candle-lighting ceremony at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Several white candles were lit one by one by attending government officials.

The First Couple left a few minutes past 6 p.m.

In San Juan, Estrada visited the tomb of his father at the municipal cemetery,  the first time since he was detained six and a half years ago.

The Ejercito family offered a Mass and later shared a feast with other relatives.

Supporters and family members warmly greeted Estrada, who was ushered inside the cemetery by police escorts and traffic enforcers.

Estrada meanwhile stood firm in his decision not to accept any offer of a government position from the Arroyo administration, saying he would not be needing it to serve his countrymen.

“I will not accept any position from the government. Besides I don’t need it to help our countrymen,” he said in an interview at the tomb of the Ejercito patriarch Emilio, suggesting it would be a demotion for him if he did.

Estrada also denied allegations that he is planning to leave the country until Mrs. Arroyo, who granted him absolute clemency, finishes her term in 2010.

“Hayaan mo na lang sila,” the pardoned leader said of persons making the allegations, saying they should leave well enough alone.

He also said that he remains the figurehead of the opposition and that he wants to fix any division and misunderstanding caused by his acceptance of pardon from the President.

He said there was a need for closure for all those being investigated “so we could move on and focus more on solving the country’s problems.”