2 women OK Iggy funeral plans

MANILA, Philippines - The camps of former Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo’s legal and common-law wives and daughters by his first marriage finally came to terms yesterday on where the deceased lawmaker’s remains will lie in state upon arrival in Manila by the weekend.

Arroyo’s body will spend two days at the Arroyo ancestral home in La Vista, Quezon City, a day at the House of Representatives, two days in Bacolod City, and a day again at the Arroyo house in La Vista before internment.

Because an amicable settlement has been reached, the camp of Alicia Rita “Aleli” Arroyo has agreed to withdraw the petition she filed before a Quezon City court for custody of her husband’s body.

She earlier wanted the court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a writ of injunction against Grace Ibuna and daughter Bianca Arroyo.

At yesterday’s hearing presided over by Branch 92 Judge Eleuterio Bathan, Aleli’s counsel Athena Zosa informed the court that since Ibuna’s camp already allowed her client to bring the remains of the late congressman to their home at No. 17 Badjao Street, La Vista Subdivision, Quezon City, the petition is being withdrawn.

Lawyer Maria Soledad Mawis, representing Arroyo’s daughters with his first wife Marilyn Jacinto identified as Bianca and Bernardina Arroyo-Tantoco, said her clients are also accepting the funeral schedule that has been agreed upon.

“After this, there will be no more case as the main issue of who will have custody over the remains was already resolved. I hope this will put an end to any problem that will serve as a hindrance to a decent burial,” said Ibuna’s counsel Leonard de Vera after the hearing.

Arroyo’s body is expected to arrive in Manila from London Friday evening and will be brought to his house in La Vista where his remains will stay until 10 a.m. Sunday.

“After that, Mr. Arroyo’s remains will be transferred to Congress for a couple of hours before he will be flown to Bacolod on the same day, probably late afternoon,” Mawis told the court.

She said the former lawmaker’s body will stay in Bacolod until Thursday and be transferred again to Arroyo’s La Vista home on Friday in preparation for burial at the North Cemetery in Manila on Saturday.

“I thank God and those who prayed for us that my daughter’s wish was granted that the wake of her father be made in our home,” Aleli said in Filipino after the hearing.