Wife fails to bring home Iggy’s remains from London

Saturday, February 4, 2012

MANILA (Updated 12:41 p.m.) -- The legal wife of late Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo failed to bring home from London the lawmaker's remains due to legal issues.

Lorna Kapunan, lawyer of Aleli Arroyo who is on her way back to Manila, said Iggy's live-in partner Grace Ibuna instructed the funeral parlor, where the lawmaker's remains are being kept, that he be cremated in the United Kingdom (UK).

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According to Kapunan, who accompanied Aleli to the UK, a funeral parlor lawyer received a call from Ibuna's lawyer that Iggy's marriage with Aleli was already annulled.

Kapunan said the funeral parlor lawyer should have asked for court records on the alleged annulment of the marriage.

“The Philippine Embassy has certified that Aleli Alicia Arroyo is the valid (wife),” she added.

Aleli earlier threatened to sue Ibuna after the latter declared herself as the legal wife of the late congressman at The London Clinic.

Kapunan said Iggy's family members were shocked over plans to cremate him as they expect Aleli to bring Iggy’s remains home with them.

Iggy suffered a cardiac arrest last week and went into a coma. His life support systems were pulled out a few hours after.

The three-term congressman has been in London since August to seek treatment for his liver ailment. He has missed plenary sessions in the House of Representatives since then.

The House has planned to hold a necrological service for the late congressman next week. (Sunnex)