REMEMBERING PRESIDENT AQUINO: Ret. Assistant Commissioner of the Bureu of Internal Revenue Fortunato Aguas above shares with this paper the letter sent to him by the former President telling him to "keep his faith" with the Lord. (Rudy Liwanag)

During her term as president, Cory Aquino gained steadfast and loyal supporters, but there was one man who was contented to support her and watched her from the sidelines.

He stood by her side unfailingly without calling any attention to himself, without wanting anything in return but a friendship with her.

This man is none other than Fortunato “Forting” Aguas, retired CPA and lawyer who was once assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In one of her letters to him, Cory described Forting as a “true friend;” theirs was a friendship not requiring daily communication or constant dialogues with each other. Rather, Corywhat they shared was a friendship built mainly on distant admiration and loyalty.

“I consider her a God-given leader. She might not be as intelligent or as experienced as others, but in heart and in mind, she was the best for our country,” says Forting, whose esteem and devotion to Cory started back in 1983.

Ninoy had just been assassinated, and quite a number kept their distance from the his family because of Martial Law. So when Ninoy’s properties and estates had to be transferred to his widow Cory, nobody from the BIR wanted a hand with them. Nobody, except Forting.

“I did it because of my dislike for Martial Law and my admiration for Ninoy,” he explains. And this selfless act of kindness was what brought Forting and Cory together. Forting even recalls how Cory went up to him and said, “Ang lakas ng loob mo!”

Since then, Forting and Cory started what came to be a lifetime of meaningful friendship. “She was always polite to me,” Forting shares. “What we had was a very light and cordial friendship, and I have the highest respect for her.”

And when he got sick last April, Cory sent him a hand-written note, expressing concern. “I heard that recently you got sick and still confined in a hospital. I include you in my prayers for speedy recovery because good people like you are still needed in this world,” it says.

“I’m really surprised over the concern she had for me,” says Forting.

And Cory’s concern is a manifestation of the former president’s true nature. Despite the fact that she herself was experiencing pain and discomfort, she still had her friends’ and fellow countrymen’s welfare in mind.

And just like what Cory said in her letter, “good people like you are still needed in this world.” Forting is still with us for a reason – and may be, that reason is to continue fighting for the things Cory so vehemently fought for while she was still alive: anti-corruption, a Godly nation, and love for the Filipino people.