MANILA, Philippines - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo Tuesday said he expects the remains of his brother, the late Negros Oriental Rep. Ignacio ''Iggy'' Arroyo, to arrive from London on Saturday ''at the earliest.''
However, the battle for custody of the body of the deceased continues between his estranged but legal wife, Alicia Rita ''Aleli'' Morales Arroyo, and his live-in partner and companion until his death, Grace Ibuna.
In an order issued Tuesday, the Royal Courts of Justice in London granted joint custody of the late solon's body to Ibuna, and his daughter, Bernardina Arroyo-Tantoco.
Bernardina is Iggy's second daughter from his first marriage to Marilyn Jacinto, sister of rock guitarist RJ Jacinto.
Reacting to the court order, Jose Miguel, husband of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, aired hopes that last respects will finally be accorded his brother as soon as the body is repatriated.
But the camp of Iggy's legal wife remained hopeful she will be granted custody of the remains by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, counsel for Aleli, admitted that they deliberately did not participate in the custody battle initiated by Ibuna before Justice Peter Smith of the Chancery Division of the United Kingdom High Court of Justice.
But Kapunan insists that the London court lacked jurisdiction in hearing the case considering that all parties involved are Filipinos.
Kapunan said the UK court directive is inadmissible in local courts, adding that under Philippine laws the legal wife has the prerogative and right over the remains and the funeral arrangements for her husband.
Aleli has asked Quezon City RTC Judge Eleuterio Bathan to grant her legal rights under local laws as the legal wife, saying that there is nothing in civil law that allows a common-law wife custody of the remains of a deceased husband.
Ibuna has sent a lawyer to defend her stand before Bathan's sala.
It was not immediately known whether or not Bathan can issue a ruling in time for the expected arrival of the body of the late lawmaker on Saturday.
Kapunan said that although they expected the UK court to uphold Ibuna's claim to the body, it is precisely this development that they wanted to avoid. This is the main reason why they filed a court case before the Quezon City RTC.
Before the custody battle ensued, Aleli announced funeral arrangements for her husband.
Her revelation that Ibuna will be barred from the wake has apparently prompted the latter to seek sole custody of the body in London.
The Philippines' top judge was due to testify at his impeachment trial on Tuesday in a last-ditch bid to save his job, with President Benigno Aquino saying his ouster is key to an anti-corruption drive.
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