The Aquino administration is preparing for a state funeral for the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo who died in a plane crash off the coast of Masbate on August 18, a Palace official said on Wednesday.
The family agreed to President Benigno S. Aquino III's proposal to give the late Secretary Robredo a state funeral, according to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday. "Today, we’re issuing Bulletin No. 2 for the state funeral for the late Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. A state funeral entails that all expenses be paid by the state in addition to the fullest honors rendered to the deceased including military honors," Lacierda said.
Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Undersecretary Manolo Quezon III, for his part, said the newly-formed Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial of the late Secretary Robredo has lined up several activities for the late chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government's state funeral.
"At present an honor guard from the Philippine National Police is standing vigil at the (Palacio de) Arzobispado or the Archbishop’s Palace in Naga City where the remains of the Secretary will be until Friday, August 24," Quezon said.
"The PNP will render departure honors in Naga City and escort the remains from the Archbishop’s Palace to the Pili Airport in Camarines Sur. Departure honors will be rendered by the PNP prior to departure from Pili Airport en route to Villamor Airbase in Metro Manila," he said.
"At Villamor Airbase, arrival honors will be rendered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. From Villamor, the escort from Villamor Airbase to Malacañang Palace will be handled by the Presidential Security Group and it is the Presidential Security Group that will render arrival honors which will include a gun salute in Malacañang Palace," he said.
The remains of Secretary Robredo will lie in state in Malacañang Palace on Friday, August 24, until the morning of Sunday, August 26. His remains will be brought back to Naga City on Sunday. Burial has been set on Tuesday, August 28.
"There will be a funeral cortege with the participation of the uniformed services, arrival honors at the place of interment a three volley salute—the playing of taps; and the handing of the national flag that covered the coffin to the widow," he said.