27 January 2012

Legal Wife Off To UK To Claim Iggy's Body


Declaring that she remains the legal wife of Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio T. Arroyo until the time of his death, Alicia Rita Morales Arroyo vowed Friday to pursue criminal charges against whoever gave hospital officials at the London Clinic in England the order to pull the plug on the life support system attached to her comatose husband Thursday.
This developed as the British Embassy granted Mrs. Arroyo a visa to England, setting off a possible row between her and a certain “Grace Arroyo” in claiming the body of the late congressman.

Lawyers of Mrs. Arroyo said they believe this Grace Arroyo, a businesswoman whose real name is Grace Ibuna, had claimed to be the wife of Rep. Arroyo.
Friday night, Mrs. Arroyo was all set to fly to London to claim the remains of her late husband.
She aired strong suspicions that it was Ibuna, who had passed herself off as the legal wife of Rep. Arroyo, and was the one who authorized the unplugging of the life support system that resulted in the solon’s death.
“I would have decided differently,” a visibly bitter Mrs. Arroyo said on the fate of her husband. “Masamang-masama ang loob ko sa nangyari.”
The late congressman and younger brother of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, was reported to have died around 9:30 a.m. in London (Manila time: before 5 p.m., Jan. 26, 2012) when the life support system attached to him was shut down.
“I had no idea who authorized the hospital to pull the plug. We are pro-life – Iggy and I. Our daughter is actively campaigning against the RH (reproductive health) bill,” said Mrs. Arroyo, referring to the advocacy she and Rep. Arroyo shared with their daughter, Alelu.
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, Mrs. Arroyo’s legal counsel, said the filing of criminal and civil complaints against whoever authorized the life support taken out is being studied by their law office.
“It’s homicide, probably murder,” said Kapunan, adding that conflicting reports about the real condition of Rep. Arroyo, who was first reported dead early morning Thursday, raised suspicion that something was amiss in London.
Another lawyer for the widow, Irene Garcia said Ibuna may be liable for usurpation of status for allegedly claiming she is the legal wife of the late lawmaker.
Both Kapunan and Garcia declared that Alicia remains the legal wife because the annulment of marriage case filed by the lawmaker before the court never prospered.
“There was lack of interest on the part of the congressman,” said Kapunan of the annulment case.
Mrs. Arroyo said her husband never answer the opposition to the annulment of marriage filed by Kapunan and Garcia in the court.
The couple has a 14-year-old daughter whose custody was granted by the court to Mrs. Arroyo, with the lawmaker given visitation rights.
“I am still wearing the ring,” Alicia stated as she showed reporters their wedding band on her finger.
Mrs. Arroyo and her lawyers declared that she will be making the funeral arrangements and will make all decisions as the legal wife of the Negros Occidental representative.
She also made clear that Ibuna will not be allowed to visit the wake to be held at the family residence in La Vista Subdivision, Quezon City.
Mrs. Arroyo said Ibuna is the same woman who once had a relationship with actor Gabby Concepcion.
“She (Ibuna) will not be welcome in our home. Kung puwede sana, wala nang makasalanan sa environment niya (Rep. Arroyo),” said Mrs. Arroyo.
Kapunan also assailed the social network media for “giving credibility to the other woman,” referring to Ibuna whose reported relationship with the late congressman started over two years ago.
Apart from his daughter with Mrs. Arroyo, the late congressman also has two daughters – Bianca and Dina – from a previous relationship.
By BEN R. ROSARIO
mb.com.ph

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