Pinay wife of Australian millionaire arrives in Manila

The Filipina wife of an Australian mining tycoon, whose death became the subject of controversy, arrived in Manila yesterday following her victory in a court battle over millions of dollars in inheritance.

Rosemarie Lacson Hancock Porteous, 53, was recently awarded by the Australian court some A$800 million from the fortune of her late husband Lang Hancock, one of Australia’s wealthiest men.

A native of Iloilo, Porteous arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Australia via Singapore at 1:20 p.m. She was traveling alone and was met at the NAIA by her brother Salvador Lacson.

She said she will be holding a press conference on Tuesday "to clear everything."

Hancock died on March 27, 1992 in his palatial riverside home in Australia. Lawyers for Hancock’s daughter, Gina Rinehart, have argued that the conduct of the tycoon’s wife Rose – now remarried to Perth real estate agent William Porteous – played a significant part in his death.

Police who investigated his death at the time ruled out foul play – a finding never accepted by Rinehart.

Porteous, who grew up in Bacolod, said she will be staying in Ayala Alabang while she discusses business plans with her brother. – Rudy Santos