FVR skips 33rd Edsa rites

Fidel V. Ramos. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Fidel Ramos, one of the key personalities of the Edsa revolution, was notably absent at the uprising’s commemoration on Monday.

Pastor Boy Saycon, commissioner of the Edsa People Power Commission, said Ramos missed the event due to his frail condition brought by his old age.

“Nalulungkot po kami at ngayon, dala ng kanyang pangangatawan, eh hindi po siya nakadalo, pati po ‘yung book launching niya sa Club Filipino, ‘yung last book na isinulat niya ay hindi din po siya nakapagdalo,” he told reporters.

“Ipagdasal po natin siya, bigyan po ng ibayong lakas, at makapiling pa natin siya sa mga susunod na Edsa,” he added.

Ramos, who is turning 91 in March, is usually present during Edsa anniversaries. Last year, he led the wreath-laying ceremony at the EDSA People Power Monument.

“Dala nga po ng panghihina ng katawan siya po ay [91] na ngayong taon…tandaan niyo po, isa lang po ang kidney po noon. Kaya he lead a spartan life, he led [as] a hands-on President. Binigay na niya lakas niya sa serbisyo ng bansang ito,” Saycon said.

In 1986, Ramos, who was then acting chief-of-staff of the armed forces, withdrew his support to former president Ferdinand Marcos.

Ramos and former Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile’s break away from Marcos sparked the first Edsa People Power revolution. This toppled the two decades of dictatorial rule of the late strongman Marcos. /je