Drilon to represent Noy at LKY burial

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Franklin Drilon will represent President Aquino and the Filipino people at the state funeral of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died on Monday at the age of 91.

It has been the practice to send the vice president as the representative of the president at state funerals.

But Vice President Jejomar Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado told The STAR the Office of the Vice President has not received any notice from Malacañang for Binay to attend Lee’s state funeral on March 29 at the Singapore University Cultural Center.

Drilon said yesterday “the President has asked me to represent him and the Filipino people.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima will join Drilon.

The world has recognized Lee for transforming Singapore into an economically stable nation. He served as Singapore’s prime minister from 1959 to 1990 or for 31 years, the longest serving prime minister. He inspired many leaders of various nations.

“Lee Kuan Yew showed us that resolute political will can positively transform nations and societies and uplift them from the shackles of poverty,” Drilon said.