Palace creates committee to handle state funeral for Robredo

MANILA -- Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on Tuesday issued a memorandum creating an inter-agency committee that will handle the preparations for the state funeral for late Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

"Today, the Executive Secretary issued Memorandum Circular 36, creating a committee to take charge of the funeral arrangements and interment of the late Jesse M. Robredo, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

Lacierda said the committee will be composed of representatives from the DILG, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Office of the Executive Secretary, Presidential Management Staff, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Office of the Presidential Protocol, Malacanang Social Office, Appointments Office, Presidential Security Group and the city government of Naga.

The committee will be led by the PCDSPO.

"Its task will be to make all the necessary arrangements for the official honors and state funeral for the late Jesse M. Robredo, in keeping with protocol, our laws, and the wishes of the bereaved family," said Lacierda.

"The committee will, from time to time, be updating the public of arrangements through the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson as they are finalized and determined," he added.

There have been suggestions that Robredo's remains to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani but Malacanang has yet to comment on it. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)