ERAP VISITS REYES WAKE, HINTS JINGGOY MAY FOLLOW SUIT
MANILA, FEBRUARY 13, 2011 (GMANEWS TV) Former President Joseph Estrada paid his respects to the late former Defense Secretary and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Angelo Reyes in Quezon City shortly before midnight Thursday.
Estrada was welcomed by Reyes' widow Teresita and her five sons when he went to the Arlington Ascension Chapel at about 11:50 p.m., according to a report Friday by radio dzBB's Rodil Vega.
Estrada, who said he had "forgiven" Reyes for taking part in the EDSA-2 revolt that ousted him in 2001, also gave hints his son, Senate President Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, may also visit and condole with Reyes' family.
The dzBB report said Estrada spent 15 minutes at the wake, talking with Mrs. Reyes and the five children. He also hugged Mrs. Reyes and advised the five children to take care of their mother.
"Huwag pababayaan at alagaang mabuti ang ina (Don't abandon your mother, and always take care of her)," the dzBB report quoted Estrada telling Reyes' sons. One of Reyes' son — Jett — is Estrada's godson.
He also said he shared Reyes' pain as a victim of "trial by publicity," referring to the accusations of graft hurled against him shortly before his ouster in 2001.
Estrada also said he may join the funeral procession to the Libingan ng Mga Bayani on Sunday.
Reyes shot himself in the chest in front of his mother's grave in Marikina City last Tuesday. He was rushed to a Quezon City hospital but doctors failed to revive him.
At the time, Reyes had been accused of receiving P50 million in "pabaon" (sendoff money) when he retired from the military service.
EDSA Dos
Estrada said he had long forgiven Reyes for Reyes' key role in the EDSA-2 revolt that ousted him from power. The EDSA-2 revolt in 2001 installed then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as president.
Then military chief, Reyes led the AFP hierarchy in withdrawing its support from Estrada, eventually leading to the latter's ouster from Malacañang.
But shortly after Reyes' death last Tuesday, Estrada issued a statement stating that he would rather remember Reyes for helping bring down the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's Camp Abubakar in 2000.
The former president also said he would remember Reyes as an excellent AFP chief of staff. It was Estrada who named Reyes military chief in July 1999. Reyes was retained by Mrs. Arroyo as AFP chief until his retirement in March 2001.
Jinggoy visit
On the other hand, Estrada said his son Jinggoy may pay his respects to Reyes as well, but did not say if it would be in Quezon City or at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo where the remains of Reyes will be transferred on Friday.
He defended his son from speculations that he may have helped drive Reyes to kill himself. The younger Estrada had grilled Reyes on the "pabaon" issue in a Senate probe.
The dzBB report quoted the elder Estrada as saying his son was only doing his job as a senator.
Transfer
Reyes' remains were to be transferred to Camp Aguinaldo at 10 a.m., and brought to the St. Ignatius Cathedral there.
On Saturday, the remains will be transferred to the canopy of the AFP General Headquarters.
Necrological rites for Reyes will be held there at 5 p.m.
On Sunday, an 8 a.m. Mass will preceded departure honors as Reyes' remains are to be brought to the Libingan ng mga Bayani. — RSJ, GMA New
Estrada to come out with his all memoirs book By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) Updated February 01, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (4) View comments
Photo is loading... Former President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada | Zoom
MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada announced that he would release his biography, focusing on his life as president, this year.
"It will not yet include my childhood and love life because the book will be in several volumes if we include them," Estrada told reporters after attending the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel media forum.
Estrada earlier said he is planning to write a book about his life starting from childhood, which he wants to be titled "Memoirs: The Life and Loves of Erap."
Known for his colorful love life, Estrada said the book will be honest about his achievements and misgivings.
Estrada was the 13th president of the Philippines, serving from 1998 to 2001. He was elected by a landslide vote in 1998 only to be ousted in a popular uprising in 2001 because of corruption charges that led to his conviction for plunder.
Estrada ran again in the May 2010 elections but lost to President Aquino.
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