President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visited the wake of former president Fidel V. Ramos at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Thursday morning, Aug. 4.
Marcos arrived at the wake at past 10 a.m.
"I just came to, of course, offer my condolences to the family, to the former president's wife. You must also remember that we are related with FVR, so it is also a family event—the loss of FVR," Marcos said in a brief statement after visiting Ramos' wake.
The President said in his visit, he was able to talk to Ramos' wife and reminded her of the contributions of the former president to the country during his time.
"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," Marcos said.
"And for that we will always be grateful to him and for all his service all throughout his life as a soldier and as a public servant. And for that 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," Marcos added.
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Thursday said that the proclamation declaring August 9 a special non-working holiday in honor of the former president, which has been making rounds online, is not true.
However, a state funeral with full military honors will be given to Ramos on Aug. 9.
A 10-day period of national mourning until Aug. 9 has also been declared to honor the late former president.
Ramos passed away on Sunday, July 31, at the age of 94.
He served as the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998. His six years in office brought solid socio-economic gains and turned the country into the “Tiger Cub Economy in Asia.”
Prior to his presidency, he served as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and became the Secretary of National Defense two years later.
He was named as Military Hero of the Peaceful People Revolution for his paramount role in returning democracy to the Philippines.