Joker’s death: Still no condolences from Noy

MANILA, Philippines - A week since the death of former senator Joker Arroyo was reported, President Aquino has yet to issue his personal condolences.

Only presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda has issued a statement, while Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. distanced himself from the issue.

“Out of respect for his family, we deferred comment pending their official confirmation,” Coloma said.

“The passing of Joker Arroyo closes a life and career spent in the midst of burning issues of public interest for half a century. As a lawyer and legislator he was outspoken,” Lacierda said.

“As a citizen, he was one of those who fought the dictatorship and served in the effort to restore our democracy: this is the Joker Arroyo the country will remember. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones in their time of grief,” he added.

Last week, Lacierda said Malacañang was reserving its expression of condolences until they get confirmation from Arroyo’s family.

Arroyo was lawyer for the President’s father, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., during the martial law years. He was also the first executive secretary of the mother of the President, former President Corazon Aquino.

Lacierda said they got confirmation of Arroyo’s death only from former senator Rene Saguisag.

“We have prepared a statement but out of deference to the family, they have not made an announcement,” he said.

“We would like to apologize in the meantime,” he added. 

Arroyo succumbed to cardiac arrest in a hospital in the US. He was 88.

The President has refused to comment, saying it was “unwarranted” and “premature” pending confirmation from Arroyo’s family members.

 Disagreements

When they were still senators, Aquino and Arroyo had disagreements over the Nueva Camarines bill, which was pushed by Arroyo’s provincemate Luis Villafuerte.

Their relationship also turned sour when Arroyo joked that members of the Liberal Party could be accommodated in a Volkswagen when Aquino declared he was running for president in the May 2010 elections.