MANILA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines would "always be grateful" to its late former leader Fidel V. Ramos who was a "symbol of stability."

Marcos made the remark during a visit to the wake of Ramos, his distant uncle, at the Heritage Park in Taguig.

"I just reminded Mrs. Ramos on how FVR, when he became president, was a symbol of stability after all the tumultuous events of 1986. When he came into the presidency, he brought calm and he brought stability to our country," Marcos said in a chance interview.

"For that, we will always be grateful to him and for all his service all throughout his life as a soldier and as a public servant," he added.

The President also paid tribute to Ramos' remarkable public service that spanned when he was still a soldier.

"Ang kanyang pagsisilbi sa bayan bilang sundalo at lingkod-bayan ay hindi matatawaran at kailanman ay hindi natin makakalimutan," said Marcos in his Facebook page.

(His service to the public was unconditional and this cannot be forgotten.)

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Former first lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos thanked those who came to the wake of her beloved husband. Photos from Marcos' camp showed that the President spent time with the former first lady and chatted.

"Thank you very much for coming. I realized we have so many friends. He worked hard , we also tried to work hard, and now he deserves the rest that he needs," she told reporters.

A graduate of the prestigious West Point military academy in the United States, Ramos had a lengthy career in the armed forces. He was later commander of the paramilitary Philippine Constabulary from 1972 to 1986, under his second cousin, then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

In February 1986, Ramos joined the "People Power" revolt that sent Marcos Sr. into exile and ushered in Corazon Aquino as president.

Aquino appointed Ramos as military chief and then defense secretary. When elections came in 1992, she gave her endorsement to Ramos, which was crucial to him winning the presidency.

As president, Ramos solved a crippling power crisis, and broke up cartels in telecommunications, aviation and shipping -- boosting an economy that reaped a period of renewed growth.

He also made peace overtures to Muslim separatists and made an aggressive push for family planning.

Ramos passed away on Sunday at the age of 94.

• Philippines mourns death of former President Fidel Ramos

"We clearly have suffered the loss for our country. But the memories of him (Ramos) will be good because of the good work he did for the Philippines,," Marcos Jr. said.

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Marcos declared a period of national mourning for Ramos from July 31 to Aug. 9, during which flags will be at half-mast in all government offices and installations.

• Marcos declares July 31 to Aug 9 as national days of mourning for Ramos

The Philippine government will hold a state funeral with full military honors for Ramos on Aug. 9, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

• Ex-President FVR to be accorded state funeral on Aug. 9: Palace

Marcos, who offered a flower wreath for Ramos at the wake, was accompanied by Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

—Job Manahan and Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News; with a report from Agence France-Presse

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