Iggy's remains set to arrive in Negros Occ

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  — The remains of the late 5th District Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo will be brought to Negros Occidental for a wake in Binalbagan town next week.

This was disclosed by 5th District Provincial Board Member Melvin Ibañez, a close friend and political ally of the late congressman.

Ibañez said Iggy’s remains are scheduled to arrive in Manila where a two- to three-day wake will be held at the House of Representatives.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said House members will pay their final respects to Iggy during a necrological service on Monday. He also instructed House Secretary-General Marilyn Baura-Yap to coordinate with the Arroyo family on the details of the service.

Iggy’s remains will then be brought to Negros Occidental for a two-day wake at the Binalbagan Catholic Church to enable the people of his district a chance to pay their last respects.

Ibañez said Dina Arroyo-Tantoco informed him that her father’s remains will be brought to Negros Occidental, and that he has been overseeing preparations for the wake in Binalbagan, where some of the Arroyo properties are located.

Iggy will be interred later on at the Arroyo family mausoleum at the North Cemetery in Manila, he said.

Iggy was on his third and last term as congressman when he died last January 26 in London due to a lingering liver ailment. He was elected for three consecutive terms since 2004.

Belmonte meanwhile said a special election will no longer be held, and instead, he had talked to Iggy’s fellow legislators from Negros Occidental on who may act as caretaker for the 5th District.

Ibañez said that, if no special elections are held to fill the congressional seat of Iggy, the appointment of a caretaker or caretakers to run the district is an acceptable option.

“Whoever House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte will appoint from among the congressmen, will be acceptable to us,” he said.

Representatives Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district) and Mercedes Alvarez (6th district) have expressed willingness to be the caretaker of the 5th District.