Robredo's close friends to carry coffin upon arrival in Manila

By GIAN C. GERONIMO, GMA News

Published August 23, 2012 2:54pm

Six of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo's close friends, including Secretaries Mar Roxas and Butch Abad, will be among the pallbearers when the casket of the late Cabinet official arrives in Manila on Friday, a Palace official said Thursday. From the Villamor Air Base, Robredo's remains will be brought to Malacañang. His remains will stay there until Sunday and will be brought back to Naga City on the same day.

At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said the choices for the pallbearers were decided by Robredo’s family.

“I think it is safe to say that this is the specific wishes and desires of the family based on who they feel should have the privilege and honor of accompanying the remains as they are brought from place-to-place,” Quezon said.

Aside from Roxas and Abad, the other pallbearers will be Rep. Jun Abaya from the Liberal Party, Harvey Keh from the Kaya Natin! movement, Alice Murphy who will be representing urban poor groups, and Joan dela Cruz from the DILG. Departure, arrival honors

According to the fifth bulletin issued by the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial for Robredo, from 9 to 10:30 in the morning on Friday, Robredo’s remains will be transferred from the Naga City Airport to the Villamor Air Base in Metro Manila.

Departure honors will be rendered at Naga Airport by the Philippine National Police, while arrival honors at the Villamor Air Base will be rendered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

From the airbase to the Palace, the AFP will render departure honors, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) will provide escort, and will render the arrival honors at the Palace.

The route to be used going to the Palace will be: Villamor Airbase to NAIA Road, to Roxas Boulevard, to Padre Burgos Street, to Finance Road, to Ayala Boulevard, to Ayala Bridge, to Solano Street, finally arriving at the Palace.

Malacañang earlier announced that Robredo’s remains will be brought to the Palace's Kalayaan Hall, where it will remain until Sunday, when his remains will be brought back to Naga City.

Plane crash

Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate last Saturday (Aug. 18), while en route to Naga City from Cebu. His remains were recovered Tuesday.

The remains of the Piper Seneca plane’s pilot Jessup Bahinting were recovered on Wednesday, while those of Nepalese co-pilot Kshitz Chand were found near the crash site Thursday morning.

Upon arrival of Robredo’s remains in Malacañang, President Benigno Aquino III will receive the family of the late Secretary, while a 19-gun salute will also commence, afterwards the body will be brought to Kalayaan Hall. Public viewing

The public viewing will begin at 7 pm up to 11 p.m. because from 1 in the afternoon, private memorial services and a Mass will be sponsored by the DILG, the Kaya Natin Movement, and urban poor groups.

Quezon said there is no dress code necessary for the public viewing.

“Alam natin ang mahalaga dito, ayon din sa kagustuhan ng pamilya Robredo at sa utos ng Pangulo, ay bigyan ng oportunidad ang ating mga kababayan na makiramay at dumalo,” he said.

Quezon also said access for the public to Kalayaan Hall will be through Gate 7, while it will be through Gate 6 for family and friends.

Public viewing will resume at 8 a.m. on Saturday, which will culminate in a Mass at 6 in the evening. Private memorial services sponsored by the ruling Liberal Party as well as by Cabinet members will proceed afterwards. — RSJ, GMA News

Tags: jesserobredo