No Senate necrological service for Arroyo

Late Senator Joker Arroyo (Photo from Even Demata’s official Facebook page)

MANILA – As requested by the late senator’s family, the Senate will dispense its necrological service for deceased former Senator Joker Arroyo, Senate President Franklin Drilon said.

“Word has reached me [that] the family does not want any necrological service in the Senate. That’s the message sent to me,” Drilon told reporters.

But should Arroyo’s colleagues and employees want to offer masses for him, they could still do so. The Philippine flag at the Senate was also flown at half-staff.

“We can always offer a special mass organized by, if ever, the employees of the senator, but the request of the family is that there will be no necrological service,” the Senate President added.

Even without a necrological service, Arroyo was still deeply remembered and missed by his friends in the Senate with Senators Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Pia Cayetano, among others, saddened by the passing of one of the colleagues they have always looked up to.

Arroyo died at the age of 88 on Monday after undergoing a heart surgery in the United States. His family has maintained their silence  as they mourn for their patriarch’s passing.