Noynoy to drop by Cebu, pay respects to Sanchez family

Security was raised at the roads leading to the Crystal Palace of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in barangay Lahug, Cebu City ahead of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s “intimate visit” with the family of the late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr.

Representatives of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) 7 and Presidential Security Group (PSG) convened yesterday with the Sanchez family to discuss details about the visit scheduled at 8 to 9 a.m today.

“Not much people, we are not expecting a carnival,” said Ferliza Contratista, a consultant of the late vice governor.

She said Sanchez’s daughters Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero and Gerlyda Sanchez-Spiller and their mother Leonarda Sanchez will greet President Aquino.

Contratista said the President will have a 10 to 15 minute meeting with the Sanchez family.

PMS representative James Ngolaban said the President won’t stay long because he will visit the wake of the slain Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy, a political ally.

Cebu City police said they will provide coverage for the President’s visit to Cebu City in coordination with the PMS.

Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, said the President’s advance party already finalized the security preparations with them.

Busay barangay captain Yody Sanchez, the designated spokesman of the Sanchez family, said he was thankful that the President remembered his uncle.

Sanchez ran under the Liberal Party (LP) in last year’s elections.

Sanchez and LP gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Junjun” Davide III campaigned for Aquino in Cebu.

Today also marked the scheduled collection of the ballots from Mandaue City and Consolacion town in relation to the election protest of businessman Glenn Soco.

The ballots will be brought to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila for recount.

Yody thinks the ballot recovery was “improper” given its timing with Sanchez’s wake and burial.

“It’s not proper when the family is in mourning and at the same time, there is an election protest to determine who will replace Sanchez. The family doesn’t agree with this,” he said.

A special place

Yody said the family is processing papers for the court that would allow the late vice governor’s son, Leudegreco “Greco” Sanchez to attend this Saturday’s burial.

Greco is still in Bicutan for his rehabilitation program.

For his part, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district said his family had designated a “special place” for the late vice governor’s remains at the Salimbangon-owned Mactan Memorial Garden at the Osmeña highway, in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City.

Salimbangon, who visited Sanchez’s wake at the Crystal Palace, discussed with the Sanchez family preparations for the vice governor’s burial at the Mactan Memorial Garden.

Salimbangon said the late vice governor’s remains will be placed in one of their garden lots measuring 12.5 meters.

The area can accommodate two tombs above ground and a one-meter high perimeter fence.

“He deserves this resting place and my family is proud to announce that we will receive his remains at our (memorial garden),” Salimbangon said.

He said a similar cortege done for the burial of the late President Cory Aquino will be held for Sanchez’s burial Saturday.

“Even Cosmopolitan offered to provide him a flatbed where his coffin can be laid so those who want to see him can do so,” Salimbangon explained.

The legislator said Sanchez, whom he considered a brother encouraged him to return to politics.

Salimbangon remembered last seeing the vice governor in one of the barangays in Daanbantayan town to administer oaths of office to local officials there last November.

“He was still okay then, very healthy,” Salimbangon said. The late vice governor’s death came as a shock to him.

He said they helped each other despite their political differences. “I respect him quite highly.” Salimbangon said. With Correspondent Chito Aragon