Filipinos continue to pay their last respects to former president Fidel V. Ramos at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City on Sunday, Aug. 7, the scheduled public viewing for the urn containing the ashes of the former chief executive.
The public viewing lasted from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, and will resume on Monday, Aug. 8, from 7 a.m to 4 p.m. at Chapels 2 and 4.
His staff at the Office of the President (OP) during his term and his allies at the Lakas-CMD began visiting his wake at 3 p.m.
Uniformed personnel were seen lining up to view the urn of the ex-commander-in-chief.
Some of those visiting Ramos’ remains said they knew him personally.
READ: Farewell, FVR
A "hands-on President" was how Ted Encarnacion, who had worked in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during Ramos' administration, described the former president.
He told ABS-CBN News that Ramos did not micromanage but knew every detail of the job.
Historian Xiao Chua also attended the wake, calling Ramos a hero of democracy for helping lead the People Power 1 in 1986.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and former lawmakers Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza also paid their last respects to Ramos on Sunday.
Many ordinary citizens reportedly spent time viewing Ramos' remains because they admired the former chief executive.
Visitors were advised to follow the minimum public health standards, which include the wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing in lieu of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The public is encouraged to come early to accommodate more visitors considering the time allotted,” the Ramos family released in an advisory.
A decorated soldier and five-star general, Ramos will be accorded a state funeral in accordance to past presidents.
READ: FVR will be given a state funeral on Aug. 9, Palace says
He will be interred at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani on Tuesday, Aug. 9, for serving as the country’s 12th president from 1992 to 1998.
Personnel from the Philippine Air Force were also at the Heritage Park to rehearse for the state funeral.
The most recent state funeral for a former president was held for the late Diosdado Macapagal in 1997.
Though offered state funerals, the family of former presidents Corazon Aquino and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III declined the proposed ceremony in 2009 and 2021, respectively. They were still accorded full military honors.