Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives with husband, Jose Miguel, at the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court in Quezon City, Metro Manila, April 11, 2012. Arroyo entered a plead of not guilty to allegations of graft and corruption in the tainted telecommunications deal with China in 2007. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang extended its condolences to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo over the death of her elder brother, Arturo dela Rosa Macapagal.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. noted Arturo’s achievements and his contributions to Philippine society.
”The nation lost an outstanding Olympian and a respected business leader with the passing of Arturo D. Macapagal this morning,” Coloma said.
”Mr. Macapagal represented the country in the 1972 (Munich) and 1976 (Montreal) Olympic Games and held the national record in Olympic free pistol shooting for more than 21 years.
”He is a recognized leader in the automotive industry and is a staunch supporter of various socio-civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Scholarship Foundation for the Filipino Youth, where he served as Chairman.”
Arturo had been confined at the Makati Medical Center for prostate cancer.
Arturo was the son of President Diosdado Macapagal from his first wife, Purita dela Rosa.
He and Cielo Macapagal are half-siblings of the former president and Diosdado Jr. or Buboy.
Arroyo was supposed to see him today for a 5-hour furlough from 3 to 8 pm. Instead, the Sandiganbayan First Division has allowed the former president to attend the wake of her brother at the Heritage Park in Taguig on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.(MNS)