MANILA, Philippines--Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the Aquino family should "welcome" President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she visits the wake of former President Corazon ?Cory? Aquino at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday.

"With due respect to the family, the President should be welcome to attend. We have our differences in opinion but she (Arroyo) is the head of the state and she wants to pay respect to the former President (Aquino). I think it would be good for the people to see such a thing happen," Pimentel told INQUIRER.net Monday night at the church where the final wake of Aquino will be held.

Pimentel paid tribute to Aquino, who once asked him to be her running mate in the 1986 Snap Elections, which brought Cory to the presidency?ending the 20-year dictatorship of strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Pimentel eventually gave way to Salvador ?Doy? Laurel Jr. as Aquino?s running mate.

"Cory has delivered the Philippines from dictatorship. Giving us the hope of democracy is the best gift she has given us, among others," Pimentel remembered.

A "brave, prayerful woman and humble leader" was how Pimentel described Aquino.

He related that during their campaign sortie at Plaza Pershing in Zamboanga City in 1986, two bombs went off near the crowd. Concerned about her safety, Pimentel said he was surprised to find Cory "sitting serenely on the stage.?

On a lighter note, he also recalled Cory partaking of a "bulalo" (beef marrow and vegetable soup) they bought from a sidewalk vendor somewhere in Cagayan de Oro City when they arrived at the house of Pimentel after failing to reach Surigao for their campaign.

"She said that was the best bulalo she ever tasted and, thank God, she was full and did not have any upset stomach," said Pimentel.

Aquino died due to complications from colon cancer last Saturday. She will be buried at the Manila Memorial Park on Wednesday.