NEW YORK CITY – Despite possible hostile reaction from anti-government critics, President Arroyo is expected to pay her last respects to the late President Corazon Aquino, whom she earlier eulogized as a "national treasure", when she returns to Manila on Wednesday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita expressed hope that the President’s gesture to extend her personal condolences to the Aquino family will be respected by her political opponents amid concerns she could be heckled or humiliated.

Ermita, speaking to reporters before the President and her party left New York City, said they are still trying to decide whether the President will visit the wake of Mrs. Aquino at the Manila Cathedral or attend the funeral rites at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

The final decision, according to Ermita, will only be known shortly after the President’s arrival.

“The President will pay her respects to former President Aquino. For the moment, we can’t give you details because final arrangements are being made on the ground,” he said.

Ermita also said government critics should not inject too much politics into former President Aquino’s funeral, saying the solemnity of the burial should be kept based on Filipino tradition.

“We hope they will not take advantage of the situation,” he said.

Ermita likewise said the military has explained that the two security aides assigned to former President Aquino were not actually pulled out August 5, burial date of Mrs. Aquino, as a special holiday and announced a 10-day period of mourning. The President also offered to accord a state funeral for Mrs. Aquino but her family turned down the offer and opted for a private interment.

In Manila, Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III confirmed that Mrs. Arroyo’s attendance to the wake and burial of Mrs. Aquino will be determined today.

“We will know tomorrow whether the President will attend the funeral or wake,” he told a press briefing on Tuesday.

The President is expected to arrive at 3 a.m. via a chartered flight from San Francisco, California.

Meanwhile, for fear that the political wedge driven between his mother and late godmother might stir anxiety at Manila Cathedral, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said he may no longer attend the wake of late former President Corazon C. Aquino and will instead pray for her in private.

The eldest son of President Arroyo said he would rather stay away from the wake if his visit at the cathedral would only cause the Aquino family “more grief.”

However, sources close to the lawmaker revealed that there is a strong chance he could change his mind and accompany his mother in paying their last respects for Aquino, who joined calls for Arroyo’s resignation in the wake of accusations of involvement in massive electoral fraud during the 2004 presidential elections.

“I’m still thinking about it,” Rep. Arroyo told reporters when asked if he will follow what the Marcos siblings did on Tuesday.

“But if my presence will cause more anxiety to the (Aquino) family, I’d rather not attend. I understand the situation. I know they are in grief. I don’t wish to add more grief to the family,” he said.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his elder sister, former Rep. Imee Marcos, children of the late President Ferdinand Marcos visited the wake at the Manila Cathedral on Tuesday. (With reports from Charissa M. Luci and Ben Rosario )