Haydee accorded ‘Libingan’ burial

Model public servant Haydee Yorac was laid to rest yesterday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, earning a place among the country’s heroes for having fought widespread corruption in government.

Given full military honors including taps and a 21-gun salute, Yorac, the former head of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), was buried at high noon at the heroes’ cemetery in Taguig City.

Her grave is located alongside that of the late defense chief Rafael Ileto, former Armed Forces chief Gen. Arturo Enrile, Sen. Blas Ople and former vice president Salvador Laurel.

Aside from relatives, government dignitaries headed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and senior military officials also paid their last respects to Yorac, a former election commissioner often described as "feisty" and whose life touched countless individuals.

Yorac’s remains arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani from the University of the Philippines at about 11 a.m., and were immediately transferred to a car-drawn caisson for a 45-minute military funeral that brought her to her final resting place.

Yorac had taught for years at the UP College of Law. Necrological rites at the UP Chapel were officiated by Fr. Manuel Dapyos.

On the way to the burial ground, two Catholic priests walked ahead of the caisson, which was escorted by eight soldiers — three on foot flanking each side of the coffin and two on board the caisson.

Hovering above the funeral march was a military helicopter that showered the mourners with fresh flower petals.

Mrs. Josefa Yorac, 91, with children Margaret, Evelyn, Estella, Carmen, Army and Joey, led the march along with Ermita.

Sen. Joker Arroyo, whose wife is a partner in Yorac’s law office, and Akbayan party-list Rep. Etta Rosales also walked alongside the coffin of their friend, who they said always fought on the right side.

Arroyo, who helped speed up Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.’s resolution that Yorac be buried at the Libingan, said the full military honors given Yorac were "a fitting tribute."

The ceremony brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance, even as white roses were distributed to Yorac’s relatives and friends.

"She deserves to be laid here. She served the government best. Matapang, masipag, at matalino. Nakakapanghinayang ang kanyang pagpanaw," Cruz said of Yorac’s bravery, industriousness and intelligence, at the same time expressing regrets at her death.

For Lawrence Young, a close family friend and adopted relative, Yorac had the power to influence those around her with her attitude of righteousness.

"Di siya ma-arte. Very straight and she’s a person who never forgot a friend. Basta lahat, naalala niya. Kung hindi ka niya tatawagan, bigla ka na lang pupuntahan," Young said, underscoring his friend’s simplicity and thoughtfulness.

He said Yorac also spent four of her Holy Week vacations in his hometown in Vinzons, Camarines Sur.

"Nagulat na lang ako nang biglang umalis siya sa PCGG. Ang akala ko noon ay nagbakasyon lang. Siya ang taong ayaw masaktan ang o mag-alala ang kanyang mga kaibigan dahil sa kanya. Sa tingin lang siya matapang pero napakabait niya," said Young, expressing surprise at Yorac’s retirement from government service.

He added she was not one to impose on friends, and was actually very kind beneath her tough exterior.

Yorac died on Sept. 12 after a bout with ovarian cancer in Chicago, Illinois. She was 64. — With reports from Rhodina Villanueva, Michael Punongbayan