Even in her death, former President Cory Aquino inspires the nation.
This was how Bro. Eddie Villanueva described the outpouring of support for the bereaved Aquino family even as he joined the nation in mourning President Aquino’s death.
But he said that while the whole nation mourns for the former President, touted as one of the country’s strongest pillars of democracy, her supporters should find peace in the thought that she is now with the Lord Jesus and her beloved husband Ninoy.
“While we mourn, we find reason to be joyful because while she is away from us in the body, she is now with the Lord and reunited with her husband, Ninoy.” Villanueva said in a statement.
He said that like millions of Filipinos, he found inspiration in the former President who never buckled down on her quest for democracy in the country.
“President Cory ignited in each Filipino the passion for our beloved Philippines. She inspired so many of us on the need to strengthen and protect democracy and the democratic institutions in our nation,” Villanueva said.
He recalled a personal experience with President Aquino when he received a threat to be arrested based on trumped-up charges in 2005. The threat, which was banner headline in almost all major dailies, came up a day after he honored the Hyatt 10 and the 52 Congressmen/Congresswomen who signed the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo during a mammoth celebration of Jesus Is Lord in Luneta.
“Former President Cory called me and told me ‘Bro Eddie, once you are arrested please inform me immediately and I will go where you are.’ I was really touched by President Cory’s compassionate motherly love,” Villanueva shared.
He added: “She will stay with us, alive in our hearts and minds. For her patriotism is a flame that shall ever burn within our souls. Her courageous fight for freedom and democracy shall always compel us to protect this liberty.”
Villanueva enjoined all members of good governance group Bagong Pilipinas, Bagong Pilipino Movement, political party Bangon Pilipinas, Jesus Is Lord Movement, Philippines for Jesus Movement and other allies to pay last respects to the former President by tying yellow ribbons on every door – homes, churches, establishments – as a way of sending her off to the place of peace and rest.
“By painting the town yellow, we shall also show to her bereaved family that we as a nation are paying our debt of gratitude to them for not withholding their sister, mother, grandmother from us,” he said. (30)
