CBCP thanks Cory, says she will never be forgotten

No matter what happens to her, Filipinos will always be grateful to former President Corazon Aquino for her role in restoring democracy to the Philippines in 1986, the influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said. CBCP expressed this in a thank-you letter given to Mrs. Aquino courtesy of her son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. "We join the Filipino people in thanking her for the freedom and democracy that she helped bring back to the country in 1986. The country will forever be grateful for the sacrifices she and her husband, Ninoy, have offered," CBCP President Angel Lagdameo said in the letter. Excerpts of the letter were posted on the CBCP Web site. Lagdameo said Mrs. Aquino's great contributions “will never be forgotten." Last July 13, the CBCP offered a healing Mass for the recovery of Mrs. Aquino during their 99th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius Catholic Center in Manila. Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008, and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center since June 25. Also on Thursday, Mrs. Aquino’s bother, Jose “Peping" Cojuangco, thanked the public for the support they are giving his sister. In an interview with dzBB’s Rowena Salvacion, Cojuangco said no words could express their appreciation for the Masses and prayers offered for the speedy recovery of his sister. “The whole family is grateful for all these masses and prayers. This shows respect for the service that Cory gave to the country. There’s no better way for us to express our feelings and I’m sure she will appreciate this until the end of her life," he said. Cojuangco granted Salvacion the interview after the Mass held at the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City. The Mass was part of the 40-hour prayer vigil for the ailing democracy icon. It started 7 p.m. Thursday and would end 12:15 p.m. Saturday. - with Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV