Court allows Arroyo to visit brother-in-law’s wake

Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines—A Pasay City court has granted former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s petition to be allowed to visit the wake of her brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep.  Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, but she quickly asked the court to reschedule the visit.

Felda Domingo, spokesperson of the Pasay Regional Trial Court’s Branch 112, said Friday morning that Judge Jesus Mupas has already granted Arroyo’s initial plea to visit the wake, scheduling it on Feb. 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

However, after hearing that the deceased Arroyo’s remains would not arrive in Manila as originally scheduled Friday night, the former President’s lawyers filed a manifestation seeking the rescheduling of the visit.

“In their manifestation filed Friday morning also, they want it from March 1 to 3, where Arroyo will stay at her house in La Vista in Quezon City,” Domingo said.

The Comelec filed an opposing manifestation also on Friday morning, Domingo said, adding the new manifestations will be tackled by Mupas in a hearing set on February 27.