Palace condoles with GMA over brother's death

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang extended its condolences to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whose older brother succumbed to cancer on Tuesday.

"The nation lost an outstanding Olympian and a respected business leader with the passing of Arturo D. Macapagal this morning," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in an e-mail to reporters.

Coloma said Macapagal represented the country in the 1972 Munich and 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and held the national record in Olympic free pistol shooting for more than 21 years.

He also described Macapagal as a recognized leader in the automotive industry and as a staunch supporter of various socio-civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Scholarship Foundation for the Filipino Youth, where he served as chair.

"We extend our condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Macapagal," Coloma said.

Macapagal, 72, had stage four prostate cancer. He had been confined at the Makati Medical Center's intensive care unit since July 2.

Arroyo was supposed to visit him at the hospital after her furlough plea was granted by the Sandiganbayan.

Arroyo remains under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center because of a plunder case involving the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.