Duterte pays his last respects to late Sen. Miriam Santiago

President Rodrigo Duterte paid his last respects to the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago before dawn on Sunday.

A GMA News report said Duterte arrived at about 1:45 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao in Quezon City, where the senator's remains were temporarily laid for public viewing.

Duterte took a glimpse of Miriam's remains and talked to her widower Atty. Jun Santiago and to her brother Benjamin Defensor shortly after, the report said.

Then, the President sat beside Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos who was seated at the left side of Atty. Santiago, it added.

Duterte left the funeral chapel at about 3:13 a.m. without granting reporters any interview.

The report quoted Gov. Marcos as saying that the President apologized for coming in late for the wake.

After the funeral Mass scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday, the senator's remains will be brought to the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Marikina City before the final burial rites. — LBG, GMA News