Aquino won't attend burial rites for Iggy Arroyo

Sunday, February 12, 2012

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III will not attend the burial rites of the late Negros Occidental Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr., a Malacañang official said Sunday.

"No, he is not (attending the burial rites)," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview when asked if the President has plans to attend the burial rites for Arroyo when his remains arrive in the country.

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Valte said the President "has never been friendly" with the late lawmaker.

Aquino and Arroyo have always been on the different side of the fence, since the latter was the brother-in-law of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino's political archrival.

Iggy Arroyo died in London last January 26 following a heart attack, but his remains have yet to be transported back to Manila due to a legal battle between his estranged wife and his live-in partner.

A court in London has set a hearing on February 20 to determine who between Aleli Arroyo, Iggy's legal wife, and his live-in partner, Grace Ibuna, has rightful claim over the lawmaker's remains.

Aleli wanted Iggy's body to be brought back to Manila while Ibuna wanted it to be cremated in the United Kingdom.

In another development, Malacañang said it will leave to the Commission on Elections and the Pasay Regional Trial Court whether to allow Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to attend her brother-in-law's burial.

Former President Arroyo is still under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City due to an electoral sabotage charge.

"The camp of former President Arroyo has a pending motion before the Pasay City RTC. The court has asked details of where she will go to ready the necessary preparations," said Valte.

She said the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police will determine the parameters regarding security if ever the former President will be allowed to visit Iggy's wake. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)