Duterte at FVR’s wake: He was first to push me to run, contribute money

Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday paid his last respects at the wake of the late former President Fidel V. Ramos.

According to Jonathan Andal's report on "24 Oras", Duterte said Ramos was the first to push him to run.

“I remember, we’re having a conference… Pumasok si FVR may dalang tennis bag tapos nilagay nya sa gitna. Sabi nya ‘’yan lang ang pera ko na maitulong ko sa 'yo’,"  Duterte told reporters.

"So he was the first one to push me to run and the first one to contribute money,” he added.

(I remember, we’re having a conference…FVR went into the room, carrying a tennis bag. He put it at the center of the table and said, ‘That’s the only money I have to help you’… So he was the first one to push me to run and the first one to contribute money.)

Ramos, the 12th Philippine President, passed away on Sunday, July 31. He was 94.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos attended the wake early Thursday with other state officials to condole with the bereaved family.

Among those who also visited the wake are former Vice President Leni Robredo, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla, former Senate President Tito Sotto, former Senator Serge Osmeña and former Speaker Sonny Belmonte.

Government officials and FVR’s former colleagues are scheduled to visit the wake starting today until Saturday, August 6. The burial will be open to the public from August 7 to August 8.

He will be accorded a state funeral on Tuesday, August 9 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News