Sen. Luisa "Loi" Ejercito Estrada said her husband also asked her to extend his thanks to Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay who were among the guests during the thanksgiving mass at the San Juan Medical Center chapel in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Loi noted that her husband was "in high spirits, his morale up" the entire evening of Sunday, long after his guests had left.

"My husband and I are thankful for Mrs. Aquino, Susan, and Sen. Drilon who accepted the invitation of mutual friends who went out of their way to invite them to the thanksgiving mass. Their visit certainly left my husband with his morale up, and in high spirits," she said.

Former Senators Rene Saguisag and Ernesto Maceda, Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella, and members of Estrada’s Cabinet were also among those who offered their well-wishes.

The popular opposition leader, under heavy security, returned, accompanied by Sandiganbayan officials led by Sheriff Ed Urieta and the Philippine National Police (PNP), shortly after 8 a.m. yesterday to Tanay.

Drilon brushed aside speculations of political motivation behind his and Cory’s visit to and a joint prayer with Estrada at the San Juan Medical Center chapel.

"We just went there as a thanksgiving for former President Estrada and also to pray for the victims of the Ultra stampede. We just went there to attend mass upon the invitation of the camp of former President Estrada," Drilon said.

"My prayer is personal. That is a matter which I don’t think is a valid subject of public scrutiny. My prayer is personal to me," Drilon said when he was asked what he prayed during the mass with Estrada.

Malacañang yesterday set aside claims that Cory has reportedly forged an alliance with Estrada to force President Arroyo to step down.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President is not at all worried about the reported "emerging alliance" between Cory and Estrada, both of whom represent different poles in the country’s political arena.

"Is this the first time it is happening? They have had a lot of shows of unity. They had holding arms and a people’s court. There have all sorts of moves to show unity. Until now, we do not know how united they really are," he said.

"This is nothing new. I’m not belittling them but we are a country ruled by law. We should go by what is the law," he added, stressing that Mrs. Arroyo was given a mandate recognized under the present 1987 Constitution. (with reports from Ferdie J. Maglalang and Mario B. Casayuran)