MANILA -- The remains of Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo were brought to Malacanang's Kalayaan Hall on Friday for a two-day wake.
Robredo's cortege arrived in Malacañang around 11:30 a.m. The plane carrying his remains left Pili (Naga) Airport at 9 a.m. and landed at Villamor Airbase around 11 a.m.
President Benigno Aquino III and his official family waited for Robredo's cortege in Malacanang.
Aquino led the arrival honors for the late Cabinet official.
He received the family of Robredo including the late Cabinet official's wife, Maria Leonor "Leni" and three daughters Aika, Patricia and Jillian.
The Presidential Security Group rendered the arrival honors for Robredo. His casket was brought down from the hearse by eight members of the PSG.
His remains were received by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Liberal Party Secretary General Representative Jun Abaya, Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin movement, Alice Murphy of Urban Poor groups, and Joan dela Cruz representing the DILG, who served as honorary pallbearers.
Military honors were rendered for Robredo including a 19-gun salute and musketry or a three-volley salute.
Taps, which is a musical piece sounded during state funerals, were also played by the PSG band.
Vice President Jejomar Binay and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte were also present at the Kalayaan Hall.
Cabinet officials present were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Presidential Management Staff Julia Abad, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma.
A helicopter dropped confetti as the remains of Secretary Robredo were being brought inside the Kalayaan Hall.
Robredo's remains will be lying in state in Kalayaan Hall from Friday until Sunday morning. Malacañang said this is the first time a wake will be held in Kalayaan Hall.
His body will then be transported back to Naga, where he will be buried.
Memorial services sponsored by the DILG, attached agencies and the Local Government Leagues; urban poor groups; and the Kaya Natin Movement will be held from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday after the arrival ceremony.
Public viewing will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. after a private mass at 6 p.m.
The public viewing will resume on Saturday at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A public mass will follow at 6 p.m.
There will be memorial services sponsored by the Liberal Party of the Philippines and Robredo’s fellow cabinet members from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)