Saturday, March 29, 2008 Ex-guv's allies to attend Cory mass By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Former political leaders and allies of the late governor Bren Guiao will attend the healing mass for former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino on Monday, according to Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao, son of the late governor.
"Many of my father's leaders and supporters have called me to ask what they could do to express their moral support and personal sympathy to President Cory, and I told them about the healing mass," Guiao, godson of the former President, said.
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ardent supporter and closest spiritual adviser in Pampanga, will celebrate the mass, scheduled at the Metropolitan Cathedral here at 2 p.m. Monday.
Aquino, who was hailed worldwide in 1986 for toppling the Marcos dictatorship in the wake of a People Power revolution, has been diagnosed with colon cancer.
Supporters and allies of the former president have started holding prayer rallies and healing mass for her in Manila after her illness was bared on nationwide television by daughter Kris Aquino and son Senator Benigno Aquino III last Monday.
The announcement stunned many of Mrs. Aquino's closest friends and top government officials, among them Senator Franklin Drilon and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who shed in tears publicly.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales had earlier pledged the prayers of all Filipino priests, including himself.
Last Thursday, noted Constitutionalist Joaquin Bernas celebrated an hour-long mass at the Ateneo Professional Schools in Makati City.
The Aquino family has not disclosed how far advance or serious is the former president's illness.
Colon cancer occurs in one of 20 people and is most often found in those 50 years of age.
Doctors said it is treatable, if diagnosed early, usually at what they call stage one.
It was known if Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio and other local officials will attend Monday's mass.
Majority of the mayors are highly supportive of President Arroyo, who had been asked to resign by Mrs. Aquino in various rallies and forums in the past couple of months.
Guiao, however, cautioned against making a political issue of the healing mass.
"It's not a partisan activity but a spiritual one that calls out to every Kapampangan to participate as an act of sympathy to a former President and benefactor who's facing a most difficult and trying time in her life," he said.
Guiao is an ally of both Mrs. Aquino and President Arroyo.
The 75-year-old Aquino is an adopted daughter of Pampanga, given during the term of Guiao's father in recognition of her contributions to the growth and progress of the province.
Pampanga, during the elder Guiao's watch, emerged as the country's leader in industrial growth, surpassing even Cebu.
