Estrada, Ramos set aside differences at Cory's wake

MANILA, Philippines – Former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos set aside their differences to pay their last respects to departed former President Corazon Aquino yesterday.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo went to the wake at the Manila Cathedral early yesterday morning before the arrival of her two predecessors.

During the wake, Estrada was seated in the same pew with Ramos, between Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Asked how he felt sitting three feet away from Ramos, Estrada told The STAR yesterday he and Ramos are now cordial with another.

“Wala naman (Nothing),” he said. “We are very cordial to each other.”

He did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, Estrada told The STAR it would depend on the people whether Aquino’s death would lead to a people power uprising against Mrs. Arroyo.

“It depends upon the pulse of the people,” he said.

On the other hand, Ramos said Aquino’s legacy should serve as a challenge for Filipinos to do their part for the country.

“It will be a challenge for all of us,” he said. “All of us have important responsibilities.”

Estrada attended the Mass for Aquino with his wife, Luisa, daughter Jackie and son-in-law Beaver Lopez.

Vice President Noli de Castro, who was seated beside Ramos, led the members of the Arroyo Cabinet.

Other public officials present were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos.

Also attending the Mass were Senators Loren Legarda, Eduardo Angara, Manuel Roxas II, Francis Pangilinan, Rodolfo Biazon and Jamby Madrigal.

Among the foreign dignitaries were East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, Indonesian Prime Minister Hassan Wirajuda and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney.

ABS-CBN Network executives led by chairman Gabby Lopez were also present at the Mass.

Actors Piolo Pascual and Eric Santos; singers Christian Bautista, Lea Salonga, Jose Mari Chan and Zsazsa Padilla also attended the Mass.

Forty-five-year old Roberto Sumayun, who was on a wheelchair, came all the way from Cainta, Rizal to attend the Mass.

He brought with him a big portrait of Aquino with the words, “Salamat Cory.”

Aquino gave the portrait to his institution, the Tahanang Walang Hagdan in 1988, Sumayun said.

Filipinos from all walks of life patiently waited for Cory’s cortege, shouting “Cory, Cory,” while showing the “L” sign as confetti were showered on Aquino’s coffin aboard a flatbed truck.

Sympathizers also unfurled streamers and waved T-shirts bearing Aquino’s image. – With Helen Flores, Evelyn Macairan