GMA allowed to attend Mass for Iggy

MANILA, Philippines - Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas yesterday allowed Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) and attend the funeral Mass for the late Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo at their La Vista residence in Quezon City.

Arroyo’s lawyer Roy Montri Santos said Mupas issued the order after a conference with both prosecution and defense lawyers on the motion to allow the former President to attend the burial of her brother-in-law.

Mupas allowed Mrs. Arroyo an eight-hour furlough last March 1 to enable her to visit Iggy’s wake at their La Vista ancestral home.

Santos said the prosecution panel agreed to allow the former President to attend the Mass, which will be held about 10 a.m. on Friday prior to the burial rites at North Cemetery in Manila.

“The former President will leave VMMC at about 7:30 a.m. but the visit is only limited to the funeral Mass. After the Mass she will return to the VMMC,” Santos said.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), which initially opposed the motion, agreed to Mupas’ decision since the visit will only be limited to La Vista.

Comelec lawyer Esmeralda Ladra said they did not oppose the motion because it did not include the visit to the North Cemetery where the remains of the former congressman will be buried.

“Their is no specific time but as soon as the funeral Mass is over the former President will return to VMMC,” she said.

House pays last tribute to Iggy

Meanwhile, lawmakers yesterday took turns in paying their last respects to Rep. Ignacio Arroyo during the two-hour necrological services held at the House of Representatives.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., in his speech, vouched for the humility of Iggy and recalled that he saw the late lawmaker grow up.

The Speaker led the awarding of memorabilia to the family of Iggy, which included his oath of office, nameplate and sets of legislative performance record such as bills and resolutions he filed.

Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo described Iggy as a “caring father, affectionate partner, adorable uncle, loyal partner, good neighbor and a loving grandfather.”

Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer called Iggy as “extraordinary man” who improved the lives of his constituents.

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez cited his accomplishments as legislator, particularly in the previous Congress, when he was chairman of the House committee on natural resources and authored the Climate Change Act of 2009.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay reminisced her friendship with Iggy, recalling their travel to the Grand Canyon in the US in 2005 and the way she saw how Iggy doted on his daughter Alelu.

“I remember Iggy just came from an operation but he had to endure the six-hour trip to the Grand Canyon because he wanted to show to his daughter Alelu how much he loved her by bonding with her,” Magsaysay said, adding the late congressmen lent his jacket to her husband JV because of the cold weather.

“Even in the time he was being persecuted by a lot of people, I never heard Iggy say something bad about anyone,” she said.

Magsaysay called on the two bickering women in Iggy’s life, estranged wife Aleli Arroyo and long-time companion Grace Ibuna, to settle their differences.

“Let’s all wish Iggy, let’s set him free, let’s let him go because that is (what) love is all about. Love is letting go and setting a person free. I wish whatever we are feeling right now, let’s let it be. I know it might be difficult for you, but he always told me ‘I hope they forgive me for all the pains I have caused’,” she said.

Responding to the eulogies, Dina and Bianca, daughters of Iggy with his first wife Marilyn Jacinto whose marriage had been annulled, expressed gratitude to the commendations extended to their late father and all the people who condoled with them.

“My father is a charismatic gentleman and a joker because he wants people to be happy. To follow your (Iggy) footsteps, that would be my great achievement,” Dina said.

Bianca recalled her father as “very humble and generous.”

“He was with me during the best years of my life and I will cherish the memories,” Aleli said, adding that Iggy was a “man of few words.”

Also present during the necrological services were his elder brother former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and his nephew, Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo. – With Paolo Romero