40-year political enmity ends with visit to Cory w
by Gerard Naval
Malaya
Aimee Marcos and Lisa Araneta-Marcos with Aquino grandchildren
The death of former President Corazon Aquino has managed to unite two of the bitterest rival families in the country’s political history that goes back at least 40 years: the Marcos’s and the Aquinos.
At about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and his sister Imee, a former congresswoman, arrived at the Manila Cathedral to pay their respects to the icon of democracy.
They were received by Mrs. Aquino’s daughter, Ballsy Aquino Cruz, and grandsons Kiko Dee and Jiggy Cruz.
The Marcos siblings immediately proceeded to the coffin and said prayers, after which they exchanged pleasantries with the Aquinos.
They left the cathedral after about 20 minutes.
The Marcoses repeatedly declined interviews with reporters. Bongbong only said, “We are only here to offer our condolences.”
Ballsy Aquino-Cruz talking with Imee and Bonggon
Imee, asked if their presence meant the families have buried their hatchet, said, “We are already together in the opposition.”
Mrs. Aquino’s daughter Pinky said, “We’re thankful they made the effort to come… Sincere ang wishes nila, nakaka-touch,”
“The least we can do is mag-thank you sa kanila,” she added.
The crowd inside and outside the cathedral had mixed reactions on seeing the two rival families coming together at a time of grief.
“I wasn’t expecting that the Marcoses would be making true their word to come here… It was really a surprise,” said a female college student inside the cathedral.
“Nakakagulat lang ang isang kilalalang kaaway ng pamilya Aquino ay talagang maglalakas loob na pumunta dito at makiramay… I don’t know how I would feel if the same happens to me,” said an employee in one of the offices in Intramuros, who identified himself as “Nash.”
“I think, it is about time (for the two families to make peace)… it is a good sign for unity and we hope that it will be duplicated across the country,” said a nun who was in the queue of people.
Mrs. Aquino’s husband Ninoy was shot at the tarmac in 1983 upon his return from the United States. The killing is being blamed on then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Ninoy was the most vocal critic of the Marcos administration when it started its first term in 1965. Mrs. Aquino was the icon of the “people power” revolution that ousted Marcos in 1986.
The Marcos family was among the first to send their condolences when Mrs. Aquino succumbed to colon cancer on August 1.
The Aquino family immediately acknowledged the Marcoses’ statement, thanking them for their sincerity in offering their prayers.
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