Ejercitos open matriarch's wake to public

The Ejercito family has officially opened for public viewing yesterday the remains of Maria Marcelo-Ejercito, the 103-year-old mother of former President Joseph Estrada who died due to multiple organ failure last Tuesday.

San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito said his grandmother’s wake will be closed to the public from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow for a private Mass for the Ejercito family.

 “A burial Mass will held at 9 am on Saturday, Jan. 17. This will also be open to the public. Interment will follow at the San Juan public cemetery,” Ejercito said.

Meanwhile, Estrada’s supporters continued to visit the St. John the Baptist Church, also known as the Pinag­labanan Church, where the matriarch’s remains lie in state.

On Wednesday night, Vice President Noli de Castro attended a Mass officiated by seven priests, led by Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio and Bishop Teodoro Bacani.

A former Estrada Cabinet official, now Sen. Edgardo Angara, and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile arrived after the Mass.

Estrada said he received Wednesday night a Mass card, but no flowers, personally signed by President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Yesterday, the President’s eldest son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, also paid a visit, a gesture that Estrada said he appreciated. He said he is “open to reconciliation” with the Arroyo administration for the sake of the Filipino nation.

Estranged allies Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former senator Teresa Aquino-Oreta also paid their respects to Estrada’s mother yesterday.

Pinaglabanan Church parish priest Fr. Francisco Ongria Jr. joined yesterday Estrada’s appeal to friends and supporters to donate to his late mother’s favorite charity, the Damas de Manila, rather than send flowers. – Jose Rodel Clapano