MANILA, Philippines—It was nothing more than a joke for an amused Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

But for Joseph “Erap” Estrada, it was for real.

The two former Presidents—one installed in the People Power Revolution in 1986, the other ousted in a similar uprising in 2001—found themselves engulfed in what may well be a tempest in a teapot.

The trigger was Monday’s launch at the high-end Podium Mall at Ortigas Center in Pasig City of former Speaker Jose de Venecia’s book that outlines shenanigans in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Before a star-studded audience, Aquino, apparently tickled pink by Estrada’s famous “eraptions,” said: “I am one of those who plead guilty for the 2001 (People Power revolution). Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Patawarin mo na lang ako (All of us make mistakes. Forgive me).”

It was said in a light vein, according to Aquino’s spokesperson Deedee Siytangco.

It was simply a reaction, Siytangco said, to the tongue-in-cheek remarks by Estrada, who spoke ahead of Aquino at the book launch, of his being unprepared for the presidency and of how he had forgiven those who helped oust him in January 2001.

“President Aquino was not prepared [to deliver a speech]. Everything was in a light vein, in reaction to Erap ribbing JDV (De Venecia) about his role in Edsa Dos and that everything was forgiven,” Siytangco said in a telephone interview.

“I said it in jest,” she quoted Aquino as saying.

“But she’s not taking it back,” Siytangco said of Aquino’s apology to Estrada.

Said Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III: “I asked my mom about it and her reply is that her comment should be taken in the context of and in the same vein as President Estrada’s humorous quip.”

She exuded sincerity

Estrada has a different take on the remarks by Cory Aquino, one of the key leaders of Edsa II.

“I do not believe it was a joke. I could see she was very sincere. It was done in public in front of senators, former senators and congressmen and the people. There were many people there. I believe that,” Estrada said at the Fundacion de Damas Filipinas in Paco, Manila, where he distributed gifts to children.

He said Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Angel Lagdameo had acknowledged the “mistake” of Edsa II, along with former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

“These are great people. She is one of the most respected presidents, the most trusted person in the country,” Estrada gushed.

He termed the apology a vindication coming from another President.

“It is the best Christmas gift for me,” Estrada beamed. In a more serious vein, he said, “We are praying for her recovery. She is the icon and symbol of democracy. We need her alive. I will pray for her this Christmas.”

Praying for Arroyo

Estrada said he was also praying this Christmas for Ms Arroyo’s enlightenment so she would throw in the waste basket a proposal by her allies in Congress to amend the Constitution to extend her term that supposedly ends in 2010.

Asked if he would forgive Ms Arroyo if she ever apologized to him for detaining him for six years, a laughing Estrada told the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “I would give her absolute pardon.”

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said: “The weak can’t forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” He added with a hearty laugh, “I want to be a strong person.”

He ostensibly was alluding to insinuations he may again seek the presidency.

Malacañang praised Aquino. “Remember that is a conciliatory position she’s taking,” Press Secretary Jesus Dureza told reporters in a briefing.

“Let’s not forget that the President herself, President Macapagal-Arroyo, had made the greatest supreme reconciliatory move by exercising presidential prerogative of pardon on former President Erap Estrada.”

Aquino has been estranged from Ms Arroyo since the former backed calls for her resignation in July 2005 over charges she conspired with an election official to rig the 2004 presidential vote. With reports from TJ Burgonio and Michael Lim Ubac