Robredo's remains lie in state in Malacañan

MANILA, Philippines - Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo's body is now lying in state at the Malacañan Palace. The bronze coffin containing Robredo's remains will stay inside the palace's Kalayaan Hall until Sunday morning.

From the Archbishops Palace in Naga City, Robredo's coffin was carried by six honorary pall bearers, who were chosen by the family, to a waiting carriage and was brought to the Naga airport.

The plane carrying Robredo's casket arrived around 11 a.m. in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, where he was given arrival honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Another set of six pall bearers -- Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas, Cavite Rep. Jun Abaya, Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin Movement, Alice Murphy representing the urban poor , and Joan dela Cruz representing the Department of Interior and Local Government -- carried the casket upon arrival at the Villamor Airbase.

En route to Malacañan Palace, people lined up the streets to witness the convoy while the members of the Bureau of Fire Protection gave a "water salute" to pay their last respects to Robredo.

When the body arrived at Malacañan at around 11 a.m., President Benigno Aquino III welcomed the Robredo family and led the 19-gun salute for the late secretary while yellow confetti from helicopters rained over the Palace grounds.

Based on the bulletin issued by Malacañan, there will be a memorial service around 1 p.m. sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government, its attached agencies and local government leagues.

Around 3:15 p.m., another memorial service will be held, sponsored by urban poor groups. It would be followed by memorial service sponsored by Kayan Natin Movement, a group advocating good governance co-founded by Robredo.

A Holy Mass will also be held around 6 p.m. and after which people will be allowed to pay respects to Robredo up to 11 p.m.

A public viewing for Robredo's remains was also scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. It will be followed by another Mass from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and memorial services from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. sponsored by the Liberal Party and the late secretary's fellow Cabinet members.

Robredo will be flown back to Naga City on Sunday with the late secretary's body transferred from the Kalayaan Hall of the palace to the Naga City Hall.

The late secretary served as mayor of Naga City for six terms from 1988 to 2010.

From the Naga City Hall, his remains will be transferred to the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia on Monday morning.

The Malacañan-organized state funeral for Robredo will start at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.