Iggy remains arriving tonight

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of the late Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, who died in London last Jan. 26, are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) tonight on board an Emirates Air flight from London via Dubai, an airport source revealed yesterday.

Iggy’s remains are reportedly placed in a refrigerated crypt that will be handled by Arlington Funeral Homes upon arrival at the Pair Cargo warehouse.

There is no confirmation, however, if Iggy’s partner Grace Ibuna and daughters Bianca and Bernardina Arroyo will accompany the remains.

This development came after Ibuna and legal wife Alicia “Aleli” Arroyo finally came to terms on where the deceased lawmaker’s remains will lie in state upon arrival this 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 burial at the North Cemetery in Manila next Saturday.

Because an amicable settlement has been reached, the camp of 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 Ibuna and daughter Bianca.

During the hearing at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 of Judge Eleuterio Bathan, Aleli’s counsel Athena Zosa informed the court that since Ibuna’s camp had already allowed her client to bring the remains of the late congressman to their home at La Vista, the petition was being withdrawn.