FORMER President Corazon Aquino yesterday apologized to former President Joseph Estrada for committing a "mistake" when she joined leaders of the Edsa People Power 2 that ousted Estrada in 2001.

"I am one of those who plead guilty in 2001. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali, patawarin mo na lamang ako," she told Estrada in a speech at the launching of Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia’s biography "Global Filipino" at The Podium in Pasig City.

The book, written by American journalist Brett Decker, discusses the roles of De Venecia and President Arroyo in the $329 million national broadband network deal scandal.

Aquino, who is suffering from colon cancer, initially said she was surprised when Estrada, in his speech, said he was granting "full and absolute pardon to Joe de Venecia and to all those who attended the EDSA Dos and I am exercising executive privilege in granting the pardon."

"Nagulat naman ako sa iyo, Erap. Ang galing mo talagang mag-talumpati. I feel guilty tuloy," she said.

The two former presidents were joined by another, Fidel Ramos, during the book launching.

Estrada, in an interview, said he felt "vindicated" because the apology came from a "respectable person, our icon and symbol of democracy."

"That was the best Christmas gift that I received this year, coming from the most trusted president of the country… It’s fantastic," he said.

Estrada said Aquino’s apology was unexpected. "She told the truth about what she feels. I am very happy she is very true, an example of a president who is transparent, who is honest and tells the truth," he said.

"As they said, the weak cannot forgive, but forgiveness is the attribute of the strong, so I forgive them because I have the attribute of being strong," he said.

Estrada, who wrote the foreword of De Venecia’s book, said he is hoping De Venecia would reveal all he knows about the shenanigans in the Arroyo administration which he left after his son Joey failed to secure the NBN contract in behalf of Amsterdam Holdings Inc.

"I salute you for finally revealing the truth about this administration... I hope there is Part Two. I also believe that you know much more," Estrada said.

Estrada said he read De Venecia’s book from cover to cover. He said he read other books while he was incarcerated for plunder. "That’s why I have a very improved and good-looking English," he joked.

"It almost gave me a headache. It is more than 400 pages," he said. "But Malacañang had a bigger headache."

Aquino called De Venecia the "Speaker of the people."

She said she was very glad that De Venecia has finally mustered the courage to join their ranks and denounce the administration’s abuse of power.