No ‘Libingan’ burial for Robredo, says wife

MANILA, Philippines – He preferred to be buried in Naga, which had always been his home.

The wife of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has declined offers to have her late husband buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (cemetery for heroes), saying his final resting place will be in his hometown.

“We feel very honored we’ve been offered to bury Jesse at Libingan ng mga Bayani, but he preferred to be buried in Naga,” Leni Robredo said in a press conference on Thursday, August 23, the first time she faced the media since Robredo died.

“We’d be doing him a disservice if he isn’t buried in Naga.”

Leni said his body will likely be cremated.

Robredo served as mayor of Naga for 6 terms over 18 years. He was recognized for transforming what was then a third class city into first class.

For the past few days, his former constituents trooped to his modest house to pay their last respects and extend their deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Robredo died, along with two pilots, in a plane crash off Masbate on Saturday, August 18.

His body was retrieved Tuesday, August 21. The bodies of the pilots, as well as the plane wreckage, have also been recovered as of Thursday.

On Friday, Robredo’s remains will be flown to Manila, where he will be given a state funeral. – Rappler.com