Friends and political foes of former President Corazon Aquino continue to offer prayers for her health.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde yesterday said President Arroyo and the rest of the Malacañang people are one in praying for the speedy recovery of the former leader.
Reports reaching the Palace said even former First Lady Imelda Marcos, during her 80th birthday celebration, said she was praying for Aquino and
would like to visit the nemesis of her husband, late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, if allowed.
But Mrs. Aquino’s publicist former Press Undersecretary Lourdes "Deedee" Siytangco advised those who wish to visit the ailing former president but are not allowed to do so to just pray for her.
"I’m sorry because nobody’s allowed to visit her, not even us who worked closely with her. Nobody is allowed to visit at this time," Siytangco said after the third healing Mass Friday at the Greenbelt chapel in Makati City.
"All those who want to visit, we’re just asking them to please pray. It’s really useless for anyone to try and go to see her," Siytangco said in a text message to Philippines News Agency.
The 76-year-old Aquino, who is confined in an undisclosed regular room at the Makati Medical Center, is still apparently in serious condition and remains closely guarded by her children.
Siytangco earlier said everybody was welcome to attend the nine-day novena for Cory’s quick recovery from colon cancer.
On Friday, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim again joined the prayers and vowed to finish the nine-day novena until Thursday.
"We are indebted to her, the nation is indebted to her. She gave us freedom, that’s why I hope she overcomes this disease," said Lim, the former police general who disobeyed orders to clear Edsa during the People Power revolution in 1986.
Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, who led the reading of the novena prayer, said Aquino was a "woman of courage, faith and strength."
"I am most privileged to have worked with her for about five years in Malacañang and I know she is truly a spiritual lady. We take comfort in the thought that the Lord Jesus Christ and Mama Mary and all the angels are around us and hovering around her, bringing her not only comfort but freedom from pain," said Aquino’s former special assistant.
Among the new faces who attended the novena prayer included Representatives Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Makati City) and Lorenzo Tanada III (Quezon); Voltaire Gazmin, former commander of the Presidential Security Group; and retired Maj. Gen. Ramon Montano.
Montano, the former commanding general of the Armed Forces Narcotics Command, recalled that the soldiers "mutinied" for the people who were calling for change in 1986.
The 1986 uprising ended the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy in the country.
He said they joined the revolt because they believed in Aquino, whom he hailed as the "icon of a very honest governance."
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, for his part, said he and Mrs. Aquino have buried the hatchet early this year, unknown to many.
The two, who came from opposing political forces during the Marcos administration and joined hands in running the government when Aquino came into power after the People Power I, had a falling out and are known to be no longer seeing eye-to-eye for years now.
But when asked by Senate reporters to give a message to the ailing former president during a press conference, Enrile, revealed that he and Aquino had effectively patched things up.
"I’ve reconciled with her a long time ago. You know, I’m like that, I don’t harbor any ill-will against anybody," he said.
Pat C. Santos, Angie Rosales and PNA
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