Iggy’s wealth
and remains

Well, for one day at least, I can talk about what his happening to the stand-off regarding the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo’s remains and his wealth.

A departure from the strident debate on the Senate impeachment court on the issue around the evidences submitted by the prosecution against Chief Justice Renato Corona. And, of course, the question of the dollar deposit in the PSBank.

It’ssome 25 days since Iggy gave up the ghost. And his body is still lodged in a London Mortuary. The two women – Aleli (his legal wife) and Grace Ibuna – are still locked in a legal tussle as who between them is really entitled to the remains of the former solon.

Iggy, by now, must be squirming in his bed wherever that is. What a way to end one’s life.

Grace apparently, based on Lorna Kapunan, is laying claim to the wealth of Iggy, which, reportedly, has dwindled considerably since the Jose Pidal days when it was estimated to have run to more than two billion pesos.

Grace reportedly presented to the UK court a power of attorney that leaves to her what to do with Iggy’s remaining wealth, if there is still enough to quarrel over.

I have not even raised the question of who pays for the astronomical amount due the London mortuary. That’s another point of debate.

We just hope that the Philippine Embassy and a local lawyer can convince the court that the Philippine courts have jurisdiction over cases involving Filipino nationals. Especially when that involves a marital dispute.

No doubt about it. Our laws are clear on the point that, pending the annulment of  the marriage, Aleli remains the legal wife of Iggy whether  he had married Ibuna or not.

That’s why I hope the Philippine Embassy can help convince the UK court to summarily dismiss the suit of Grace and order the repatriation of Iggy’s remains to the Philippines under the aegis of Aleli (Mrs. Arroyo).

But, of course, there must be something substantial which the two women are fighting over. I don’t think the Grace would continue to fight for the assets of Iggy if it had, as claimed, virtually dwindled to nothing.

It must be substantial for Grace to have hired a UK barrister to represent her before the UK court.

Despite the claims by Atty. Kapunan that the row may be settled soon, the way things are going, friends and supporters of the late Iggy may be in a for a long wait. And, I guess, even the former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo may have to really grieve for a brother who had proven his loyalty by claiming all that wealth was his and not Mike’s.

All we can do now is just wait for climax or  the denouement.  And it may be a long time in reaching that point.

The proof of the effectively of a successful married life in passing the faith to the children is the sight of the four daughters of Antonio and
Gloria Esteban turning over their ancestral house to the Centre Giovanni Paolo II Research Center headed by Msgr. Vicente Rivas, the vicar general of the Bacolod City.

Thesisters are Zenia Esteban, Amelia Esteban Rodriguez, Glorietta Esteban Javelosa, and Marley Esteban Villacin.

Glorietta said “it is with great pride and joy for them to have their ancestral home become a spiritual and administrative center dedicated to celebrate the life, work and spirituality of the Blessed Pope (John Paul II).

The late Tiyo Toning was a close personal friend of my late father, Sir Knight Fulgencio R. Espina. So with the late Vice Governor Gloria who was also head of the Mary Immaculate, the spouses mostly of the members of the Nights of Columbus.

Both of them, Tiyo Toning died ahead of Gloria, displayed a charismatic spirituality, and they worked hard for the Church in various facets of apostolic activity.

Since Papa was one of the top leaders of the K of C in the province and the Philippines, he and Tiyo Toning were often together charting ways to translate into action the social principles of the Church and the K of C. And Gloria, herself, was involved in doing the same thing – evangelization.

They successfully transmitted their profound fate to their daughters. And a salute the Esteban couple. And, I am sure that God has already given them the reward to His faithful servants. Ave.!!

***

Finally the Armed Forces  has admitted that the NPA strength in Negros had increased from 75 armed rebels in 2012 to 241 in the first semester of 202.

Col. Joe Aying, deputy commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, shared this increase report with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in a briefing Wednesday.

Although the AFP had achieved a lot of accomplishments during the last year until early this year, still one cannot deny that the number of skirmishes and the offensive operations of the NPA could not have been done with the limited manpower resources they were reported to have in 2002.

In short, Aying must be able to map out to the local authorities plans by the million to effectively bring down the number now joining the rebels in the hills.

They must be able to win the hearts and minds of people. And they reportedly have attempted this my inking a peace agreement with the RPA ABS. But they must be able convince a lot of youngsters to shy away from taking up arms against the government. We need peace in this province.*

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