Malacañang to hold Mass for Cory's recovery

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang will hold a Mass tomorrow for the swift recovery of former President Corazon Aquino.

A Palace official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said yesterday “there was a request to hold a special Mass” at the Ceremonial Hall for the health of Mrs. Aquino.

The official, however, declined to say whether it was President Arroyo who requested for the Mass.

Mrs. Arroyo and Mrs. Aquino had parted ways in 2005 when the latter called for the President’s resignation.

But Palace officials said the health of the former leader should transcend politics.

Cory epitome of hope, moral courage

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. described Mrs. Aquino as an epitome of hope, selflessness and moral courage as he joined the people in praying for her steady recovery.

In a statement, Pimentel praised her for being a leader who faithfully and selflessly served her country.

Pimentel said Mrs. Aquino epitomized hope, sincerity and moral courage when she discharged the role that fate assigned to her upon the assassination of her husband, the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

He said he saw how Mrs. Aquino accepted the challenge of leading the fight against the Marcos authoritarian regime without any hesitation, but with personal conviction.

“We shall be forever indebted to Cory for rallying the nation behind the campaign to topple dictatorial rule and restore democracy, unmindful of the risks and personal sacrifices that she faced during those turbulent days,” said Pimentel, who served as Mrs. Aquino’s interior and local government secretary and chief negotiator with Moro rebels too.

It was to Pimentel that Mrs. Aquino entrusted the task of replacing overstaying local government executives, including political warlords and close associates of former President Ferdinand Marcos, who were then actively involved in destabilizing the fledgling Aquino government.

He said when he spearheaded the enactment of the Local Government Code during the 8th Congress, Mrs. Aquino wholeheartedly supported the landmark legislation despite the fact that this would result in the diminution of substantial powers of the presidency as these were devolved to local government units.

“Cory willingly gave up those powers. By that magnanimous deed, she showed that she was never greedy for power. And also, nobody can accuse her of having stolen anything or enriched herself in office,” Pimentel said.

‘Mama Mary always with Cory’

In another development, a 16-year-old blind girl said yesterday the Blessed Virgin Mary has assured her that she will always keep the ailing former president company.

Fatima Soriano, who attended the prayer for the speedy recovery of Aquino at the Sto. Nino Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati City, said she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary and asked her to bless Aquino.

“I saw Mama Mary embracing her (Cory). I asked Mama Mary to bless her and keep her company always. Mama Mary told me she will take care of her,” Soriano said.

She said she first met Aquino when they both visited a common friend in May last year.

Aquino’s spokeswoman Deedee Siytangco said nothing has changed in Aquino’s condition.

Siytangco said Aquino’s daughter told her that the former president was thankful for all the people who had joined the prayers for her speedy recovery.

“I talked to her daughter, Pinky Abellada. She said nothing changed. She is still the same. She is aware, conscious and comfortable. When I say she is comfortable, she is not in pain. She is happy,” she said.

She added Aquino’s children might issue a medical bulletin anytime this week.

Siytangco said Aquino is in high spirits at present and trying her best to eat.

“She can communicate with her children. The fighting spirit is there. It’s a roll call of who came to the prayers, who attended. She is very happy and thankful for them.”

Siytangco said Aquino always prays for the people.

She said that after the conclusion of the nine-day prayers today at Greenbelt, other groups will start prayers for the speedy recovery of Aquino starting Monday next week.

“It will be lunch time prayers in Rockwell. Tomorrow is the last day of the mass here. The Ateneo community is organizing a mass for her at Rockwell. She is happy that some people are attending the mass for her,” Siytangco said.

Helen Gamboa, wife of Eat Bulaga host Tito Sotto, said that Aquino would continue to be an inspiration of the Filipino people who love democracy.

“She will live on forever as an inspiration to this country and to the Filipino people. She is instrumental in restoring our democracy and she has served as an inspiration to our country and to the Filipino people,” Gamboa said.

She added that she is a relative of Aquino’s late husband, Ninoy.

Senator Mar Roxas, who also joined the prayers for Aquino, said he came to give moral support to the Aquino family.

“I’m here to share my prayers for the speedy recovery of President Aquino. Our family has been friends for so long. I have known them when I was still growing up. Our family and the Aquino family fought the Marcoses together. She is an icon of democracy,” Roxas said. – Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica, Jose Rodel Clapano