MANILA, Philippines ? ?No one in this country has ever been prayed for to live long as much as former President Corazon Aquino,? said Fr. Jerry Orbos in his homily at the Mass he officiated at the Manila City Hall at noon Thursday.

At Edsa Shrine, Bishop Teodoro Bacani said Thursday night during Mass to start a 40-hour vigil for the ailing democracy icon that Aquino?s legacy is that she showed us a leader who did not know how to ?cheat, lie or steal.?

?Wala nga syang alam (She didn?t really know),? Bacani said, after recalling Aquino?s response to the 1986 snap presidential election when then dictator Ferdinand Marcos said that his challenger could not be president because she was just a mere housewife, ?walang alam.?

?She governed and she led. And now even when she?s no longer in government, she continues to lead,? Bacani said.

?Let us pray that all those who govern will continue to lead, even when they are no longer in government,? Bacani said.

Aquino?s brother, Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco, and sister-in-law, Maur Aquino-Lichauco, joined the Mass organized by the Spirit of Edsa Foundation.

The 76-year-old Aquino, who is suffering from stage 4 colon cancer, has been confined at the Makati Medical Center since June 25. She was diagnosed with cancer in March last year.

Leaders of the Catholic Church sought to comfort the family of Aquino by expressing the Filipino?s eternal gratitude to her role in restoring democracy after the 20-year Marcos rule.

?We join the Filipino people in thanking her for the freedom and democracy that she helped bring back to the country in 1986,? Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines, wrote Aquino?s only son, Sen. Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III.

Forever grateful

?The country will forever be grateful for the sacrifices she and her husband, Ninoy, have offered in response to the dream and challenge that our country is worth dying for,? the prelate said.

The Catholic Church hierarchy has expressed its solidarity with the rest of the country in praying for Aquino.

?I wish to assure you that we are continuing to remember her in our prayers together with the people of the Philippines. Together we pray with her. God?s will be done,? Lagdameo wrote Senator Aquino.

On Wednesday, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said its 1,200-member schools would offer daily Masses for the former president.

Aside from offering prayers and Masses, the CEAP said its member-schools would display symbolic yellow ribbons in support of Aquino, while students would be made to understand her role in consolidating the political opposition against Marcos.

Prayers continue to be said for Aquino at the Manila City Hall and Greenbelt chapel in Makati.

Extended

The original week-long daily healing Masses organized by the Manila government has been extended. Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the extension, saying that ?prayers must constantly be offered for the ultimate recovery? of Aquino.

?No one has been prayed over for quite a long time as much as her,? Orbos added. ?This is a lesson for all of us from Tita Cory. Trust in God no matter what happens. And hopefully, you live long and people would want you to live long, so that you could still continue to work for people in Jesus? name.?

Lim remains optimistic that his former boss would recover from her ailment. He was appointed head of the National Bureau of Investigation during Aquino? presidency.

?Let?s continue praying and asking for a miracle for her. I know she?ll surpass this,? Lim told reporters.

Novena

Former staff of ailing Aquino continued offering fervent prayers for her on the fourth day of novena Masses in Makati Thursday.

Among those who attended the Mass at Greenbelt chapel were former Senate President Franklin Drilon (who served as Aquino?s executive secretary), retired Gen. Ramon Montaño, Dinky Soliman, Margie Juico and Aquino nephew Rafael Lopa.

Lopa again urged those who wanted to see his aunt to just pray for her since doctors have advised the family not to entertain too many visitors.

Security very tight

?She?s very sick, she?s very weak, that?s why it?s very important to have [few visitors] ...
people come from different places. As much as possible [the doctors] want to avoid any other complications,? he said.

Security at the MMC, especially on the ninth floor where Aquino is staying, remained tight to keep away onlookers and media people seeking updates on her condition. With a report from Dona Pazzibugan