Court allows GMA to attend Iggy’s wake

By ABS-CBNnews.com and Philippine Times of Southern Nevada

A local court granted former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s request to attend the wake of her brother-in-law, the late Congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, whose remains are expected to be brought back to the country from London soon.

In a resolution dated February 23, Judge Jesus Mupas of Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 allowed Arroyo to visit the wake from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the La Vista subdivision in Quezon City.

The court cited “family tradition” as one of the reasons for granting the request. Mupas also noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) did not object to the motion of Arroyo, and that both parties had agreed to the terms in a chamber conference.

Arroyo’s lawyers, however, quickly filed a manifestation requesting the court to move her visit to March 1-3 instead, citing delays in the transit of Iggy’s remains from London.

“Those are the dates requested for by the former president. Now, as to whether or not the court will grant the president the leave to visit on all three dates or one of the three dates, we shall find out,” said Atty. Montri Santos on ANC’s Dateline Philippines Friday.

Santos said they are not privy as to what caused the delay in the repatriation of Iggy’s remains from London. “Our information was supposedly tomorrow. Sometime tomorrow morning, that is why we asked the court yesterday, after the arraignment of the President, that she be allowed to visit the wake tomorrow,” he said.

Arroyo further pleaded that she be allowed to stay in her La Vista residence for the whole duration of the internment.

“Actually, it’s going to be easier to secure her while she’s in her own residence. It will save the security detail much more effort and logistics on the part of the state,” Santos said.

Comelec lawyers quickly manifested their objection to the request, saying this was tantamount to a house arrest for the former president.

“Eh yung Christmas furlough nga hindi pinayagan ng korte,” said Comelec lawyer Atty. Jane Valeza. “We did not object to Mrs. Arroyo attending the wake because we recognize that this is a Filipino tradition, but it should be for a reasonable period of time only.”

In a motion, the Comelec says Arroyo should only be allowed 3 hours to attend the wake. If possible, they also prefer the former president to attend the service in Congress instead of La Vista citing security concerns.

“The best thing we can do is just beg the court that under the circumstances, it would be just and humane, and for the court to allow her at least several hours in the same manner that the court initially agreed to several hours for tomorrow,” said Santos.

The court has set a hearing on the motions on Monday, February 27. — Reports from Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News and ANC’s Dateline Philippines