Palace opens door to public for Robredo wake

JESSE’S GIRLS Aika, Jillian and Patricia Robredo sit next to the flag-draped coffin of their father, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, as relatives, supporters and friends continue to troop to the Archbishop’s Palace in Naga City on Thursday to pay their respects. Malacañang is preparing a state funeral for the former DILG chief whose remains will lie in state at Kalayaan Hall starting Friday until Sunday morning. RYAN LIM/MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

All may come to pay their last respects to Jesse Robredo and need not worry about donning formal attire.

The wake for the late interior and local government secretary in Malacañang’s Kalayaan Hall will be open to the public from Friday night to Saturday, Communications Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said Thursday.

President Aquino and Robredo’s family will receive the body Friday morning on the grounds of the American-era hall after it is flown from Naga City for a two-day wake in Malacañang, he said.

Robredo, 54, died with two others after their plane crashed in the waters off Masbate City on the afternoon of August 18 while flying from Cebu to Naga City. His aide survived the crash.

On arrival, Robredo’s body will be brought down from the hearse by eight bearers and six honorary pallbearers handpicked by his family, including Cabinet secretaries, and will be greeted by a 19-gun salute.

They are Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Cavite Representative Joseph E. A. Abaya, Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin! Movement, Alice Murphy of the Urban Poor Associates and Joan de la Cruz of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In Palace until Sunday

Then this will be carried into the hall where it will lie in state until Sunday morning, Quezon said.

“The wish of the Robredo family and the President’s order is to give our countrymen an opportunity to condole and pay their respects,” Quezon told reporters at a briefing in Malacañang. He said the public could come in any attire that they deemed appropriate.

The public can enter Kalayaan Hall through Gate 7.

On Friday, public viewing is open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., according to Quezon.

This will be preceded by a series of memorial services sponsored by the DILG, urban poor groups, and the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and a Mass from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Public viewing resumes Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Return to Naga

This will be followed by a Mass from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., which is also open to the public, and memorial services sponsored by the Liberal Party from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and by the Cabinet from 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Robredo’s remains will be flown back to Naga on Sunday morning.

All throughout the transport of his body from Naga to Manila and back, the late secretary would be accorded full honors, Quezon said.

The Philippine National Police will perform departure honors when the body is transported from the Archbishop’s Palace in Naga to the airport. Six honorary pallbearers were designated by the family.

Before the plane carrying the body departs for Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, the PNP will again render departure honors.

Once it arrives at the air base, the Armed Forces will perform arrival honors.

From the air base, the Presidential Security Group will escort the body to Malacañang, and will perform arrival honors, including a 19-gun salute.

On Sunday, the PSG will perform departure honors, including a 19-gun salute, before the body is transported to Villamor Air Base. Arrival honors will be performed at the Naga airport before the body is transported to Naga City Hall, according to Quezon.

Eulogy by Aquino

On Monday, Robredo’s remains will be brought from City Hall to the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, again with full honors. Interment is set for Tuesday in Naga City.

The President will deliver the eulogy for Robredo in an elaborate state funeral on Tuesday, Quezon said.

After the 10 a.m. Mass at the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, the Robredo family will begin the ceremonies for the state funeral by issuing its response to the public.

“This will be followed by a eulogy to be delivered by President Aquino,” Quezon told reporters.

After the eulogy, Robredo’s remains will be brought out of the basilica by the pallbearers handpicked by his family, with full departure honors, including a 19-gun salute, according to Quezon.

Taps

From the basilica, the funeral cortege will proceed to Funeraria Imperial, accompanied by a military band. On arrival there, a company of 21 soldiers will give a three-volley salute and then taps will be sounded.

After this, the national flag will be taken off the casket, folded and presented to Robredo’s widow Leni by Aquino to conclude the state funeral.

Cremation

“After this, the remains of Secretary Robredo will be brought inside Funeraria Imperial for the cremation. After the cremation, the PNP will escort the family as they undertake the private interment of the ashes,” Quezon said.

After Robredo’s body was recovered from the fuselage of the ill-fated plane on Tuesday morning, Malacañang announced a state funeral for him, and days of mourning from that day until his interment.

Flags were also lowered to half-staff in all government buildings and installations for six days beginning Wednesday.