Cory foes bury hatchet, join prayers for ailing EDSA icon

Former President Corazon Aquino’s political foes have decided to bury the hatchet and join thousands of supporters in praying for the recovery of the cancer-stricken icon of democracy. On Wednesday, Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Gregorio Honasan II decided to set aside politics and sympathize with Mrs. Aquino’s family and friends. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Aquino and her family in this difficult moment. I know how her family feels because we also went through the same experience with my father," Rep. Marcos said in a statement. The lawmaker is the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos who was the bitter political rival of Mrs. Aquino’s husband, Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Mrs. Aquino replaced Marcos through the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution, three years after her husband was assassinated upon his return to the Philippines from years of exile in the US. "Let's drop politics on this one and just wish the former president peace in her heart and comfort in her pains. We believe in the powers of prayers and that God serves as our best weapon against problems, trials and difficulties in life," said Rep. Marcos. Enrile, who was Marcos' defense minister and martial law administrator, echoed the lawmaker’s sympathy. “I’ll pray for her. She’s in the hands of God," he said. The senator was one of the leaders in the 1986 EDSA uprising who called for Marcos’ ouster. He became Mrs. Aquino’s first defense secretary but resigned in November of that year over differences with the president. Honasan, who launched at least two failed coup attempts against the Aquino administration in 1987 and 1989, said there was “nothing to forgive or forget."

“We all move forward and we try to help the nation move forward. So I think the call of the times is reconciliation and unity, it’s the Filipino way," the senator said, adding that he was praying for Mrs. Aquino’s health and continued recovery. A healing Mass for Mrs. Aquino was held at the House of Representatives earlier in the day. It was attended by dozens of House staffers and several lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Cavite Reps. Elpidio Barzaga and Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing. A slide show of Mrs. Aquino’s photos and messages of support from various personalities was shown during the Mass. Yellow ribbons were hung on the walls of the House and tied to a microphone during the gathering to show support for the ailing leader. Yellow was the symbol of protest against Marcos following the assassination of Ninoy on August 21, 1983 at the Manila International Airport (now Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III thanked his mother’s supporters, including pupils from different schools who sent get-well-soon cards to Mrs. Aquino. “(T)hey were vaguely aware of what my Mom did and at the same time they are even more remotely aware of what transpired that needed the sacrifices of so many of us. But they really took so much effort into these cards that they made … One of them even had a cut out of my Mom’s name...Paanong hindi ka mata-touch (How can we not be touched by that)," the senator said. Mrs. Aquino, who has been confined at the Makati Medical Center since June 23, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in March last year. Her condition has stabilized as of Wednesday, according to her grandson, Jiggy Aquino Cruz. - GMANews.TV