Marcos attends FVR wake, honors ex-president’s legacy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the wake of former President Fidel V. Ramos on Thursday (Aug. 4, 2022) at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr. via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. honored former president Fidel V. Ramos’ service to the country both as a soldier and a public servant.

The Chief Executive made this remark during his visit to Ramos’ wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Thursday morning.

“We clearly have suffered the loss for our country. But, the memories of him will be good because of the good work he did for the Philippines,” he said in an interview with reporters.

Marcos also described the wake as a “family event”, since Ramos is also his distant uncle.

Ramos is the second cousin of Marcos’ father, the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Marcos Sr.’s paternal grandfather, Fabian Marcos, and Ramos’ maternal grandmother, Crispina Marcos-Valdez, are siblings.

Marcos said he offered condolences to Ramos’ wife Amelita and spoke about how Ramos brought “calm” and “stablility” after the 1986 People Power Revolution.

“You also must remember that we are related to FVR (Fidel V. Ramos) so it is also a family event, the loss of FVR. I just reminded Mrs. Ramos of how FVR, when he became president, was a symbol of stability after all the tumultuous events of 1986. When he came into the presidency he brought calm and he brought stability to our country,” he said.

The President arrived past 10:30 a.m. and was accompanied by Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez and Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

Ahead of his visit, Marcos sent a funeral wreath on Wednesday night.

Ramos died on July 31 at the age of 94. No further details on the passing of the former president were given by the family.

Ramos’ inurnment is scheduled on Aug. 9, 10 a.m. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Popularly known as “FVR,” Ramos served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.

He previously served as chief of the then-Philippine Constabulary, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Secretary of National Defense.

Marcos, in Proclamation No. 33, has declared July 31 to Aug. 9, 2022, as national days of mourning for Ramos.