Mike Arroyo: Gloria ‘aching’ to visit Ignacio’s wake; asks court for 3-day leave

MANILA, Philippines—Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is asking the court for a three-day furlough to attend the wake and funeral of her brother-in-law Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo.

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo said his wife, under hospital arrest at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City since November, was “aching” to pay her last respects to Ignacio.

Mike was hopeful the courts would grant the request of the former President and now Pampanga congresswoman considering that paying respect to the dead was part of Filipino culture.

Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas granted Macapagal-Arroyo’s petition to visit the wake of her brother-in-law for eight hours on Feb. 25.

Reschedule visit

She quickly asked the court to reschedule the visit after the arrival of Ignacio’s body was delayed.

She is now asking the court to let her attend the wake from Mar. 1 to 3, and be allowed to stay at her home in La Vista on those dates.

Mike hoped Mupas, after approving the one-day visit, would also grant the former President’s request for a furlough.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) opposed the congresswoman’s petition for a three-day leave from her hospital detention, preferring that she be allowed only to attend the necrological service at the Batasan Pambansa, which has better security.

Mike said the first three days of the wake would be spent at the Arroyo ancestral home and Ignacio’s home at La Vista subdivision in Quezon City.

The body would then be brought to the Arroyos’ hometown in Negros province where a wake would be held for two days then returned to Manila for the funeral.

The last two days of the wake will be held at the Arroyo home in La Vista. Interment will be at North Cemetery in La Loma, Quezon City.

Mike said his wife wanted to attend the last days of the wake and the burial.

Family tradition

Mupas granted the congresswoman’s petition “for reason of family tradition, and upon agreement of all the parties concerned.”

After hearing that the arrival of Ignacio’s body was postponed, Arroyo’s lawyers asked the court to have the visit to the wake also postponed.

They explained that their earlier petition, which was granted by Mupas, was based on information from the media that Iggy’s body was arriving on Feb. 24.

After learning that the body would be arriving on Mar. 1 and a wake would be held in La Vista until Mar. 3, the lawyers submitted the new petition.

In its motion also filed in court yesterday morning, the Comelec, which had charged Arroyo with electoral sabotage, did not completely oppose her petition but said visiting hours be shorter, only three hours, and subject to the security arrangements and procedures adopted by the Police Security and Protection Group of the Philippine National Police.

Less gov’t expense

The Comelec also proposed that Arroyo be allowed to visit Ignacio when he is brought to the House of Representatives, as she was a member of the legislative body.

It would also mean minimal security preparations and less expense for the government since Congress had an existing security force and security measures in place, it said.

Felda Domingo, court spokesperson, said the manifestations would be heard by Mupas on Feb. 27 at 9 a.m.