Arroyo pays last respects to Philippine democracy icon Aquino

Aug 5, 2009, 2:08 GMT

   Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday paid her last respect to her predecessor and democracy icon Corazon Aquino despite political differences with the former leader, who had called for Arroyo's resignation.

   Arroyo, accompanied by top government officials, went straight to the Manila Cathedral from airport after arriving from an official visit to the United States before dawn.

   Aquino - who became president after leading mass protests in 1986 dubbed the 'people power revolution,' which ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos - died Saturday at 76 from cardiorespiratory arrest after battling colon cancer for more than a year.

   The former president's only son, Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III, greeted Arroyo at the wake. His four sisters, who have expressed reluctance to welcome the incumbent leader, were not at the church during Arroyo's visit.

   The tension between the Aquino family and Arroyo was obvious as she stayed for only seven minutes.

   In 2005, Aquino had a falling-out with Arroyo when she joined calls for Arroyo's resignation over allegations the current president cheated in the 2004 presidential elections. Since then, Aquino had been a vocal critic of the administration.

   Hundreds of thousands of people have been lining up since Aquino's death to pay homage to the former president, who was fondly called 'Tita Cory,' or 'Aunt Cory,' by Filipinos.

   Despite heavy rains, mourners queued up overnight at the cathedral to catch a glimpse of Aquino before she is laid to rest Wednesday at the Manila Memorial Park, where she is to be buried next to her husband's remains.

   Foreign dignitaries, including East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta, joined Filipino officials and politicians at the funeral Mass, where Aquino's strong character and moral integrity was extolled.

   Outside, tens of thousands of people braved heavy rains to wait for Aquino's cortege.

   'She was the only true queen the people ever had,' Father Catalino Arevalo said during his homily at the funeral. 'She made this world so much safer and less cruel for all of us. Thank you, Tita Cory. We love you very much.'