Aquino considering national day of mourning for Dolphy, says Valte

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III is considering declaring a national day of mourning for the country’s King of Comedy, fondly called Dolphy by generations of Filipinos, amid calls from different groups to do so.

Abigail Valte, a spokesperson of President Aquino, said Thursday that the President was now looking at pertinent documents concerning the possible declaration of a day of mourning for the entertainment icon.

Dolphy, whose real name is Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr., died Tuesday night at the Makati Medical Center after a long battle with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. He would have turned 84 on July 25.

“It’s being considered, it’s being studied. The necessary documents for the proposal are already with the President,” Valte told reporters.

Valte reminded reporters that traditionally, a national day of mourning is declared on the day of the burial of the person concerned.

She also said the schedule of the President was being worked out so he could attend Dolphy’s wake.

The remains of Dolphy now lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. Plans for his burial had yet to be set, with reports placing two possible dates of his interment—either this Sunday or Tuesday next week.