MANILA - Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Friday asked Filipinos to unify and prioritize the return of peace in the country.

Ramos made the call while thanking those who condoled with their family during the necrological rites for his younger sister, the late former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani.

"It is the unity of all Filipinos. Filipinos must again take the lead as they did in February 1986," he said.

"We need peace in our home, peace in the neighborhood, peace in the countryside so that we can enjoy greater cooperation.. itigil na yang alitan at gawin natin ang ating pagbangon sa ating magandang kinabukasan which we deserve," Ramos added.

Ramos made the call while crediting his sister for helping empower women through the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Because of CEDAW that Ramos-Shahani vigorously pushed while she was still part of the diplomatic community, women are able to actively take part in nation-building.

"Leni (Robredo) is there because of CEDAW," Ramos said.

Ramos, in jest, said he and his sister fought many times when they were still kids because her sister always wanted to play with the boys.

He said he was not offended by Shahani's severing of ties with the Marcoses while he was still then a military general during the dictatorship.

Without Shahani knowing it, he was also making moves to gather the support of the military against the dictator. His efforts resulted in the 1986 People Power uprising.