Robredo laid to rest in hometown of Naga City after state funeral

The family of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo declined a burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Manila, but he was hailed a hero anyway as the beloved former mayor of Naga was laid to rest in his hometown late Tuesday afternoon. In his eulogy during the state funeral attended by thousands, President Aquino praised Robredo for taking the high road in politics and for his sophisticated approach to governance. Robredo's family brought out his ashes from the Funeraria Imperial at 5:52 p.m., with escorts from the Philippine National Police, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. The late official's ashes were then brought to the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park, where it was met by more supporters. Champion of the poor Earlier in the day, a requiem Mass was held for Robredo in Naga City’s Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia. It was officiated by Fr. Kulandairaj Ambrose of the Missionaries of the Poor, who compared Robredo to the late Benigno Aquino Jr., the father of the incumbent President.   Ambrose noted that Robredo's death was confirmed on August 21, a full 29 years to the day the senator was gunned down in 1983.   "Today, another great Filipino, Secretary Jesse Robredo, has shown by his life and death that every Filipino is worth dying for," Ambrose said in his homily. "In death as in life, Sec. Jesse is a man of the ordinary people. I am humbled and honored to do this for a friend, a great man, and a champion of the poor," he added. The priest said Robredo was equally at ease "with VIPs (very important persons) as well as VOPs or the very ordinary persons." ‘Mission accomplished’ After the Mass, President Benigno Aquino III delivered a 15-minute eulogy for Robredo in which he lauded the late Secretary for being successful in politics without becoming a traditional politician, or "trapo." “Namuno si Jesse sa pagpapa-totoo ng mga teorya sa pamamahala na pinag-uusapan lang sa mga libro,” Aquino said.   “Sayang po talaga,” he said of the loss, but added that at least the country was able to have Robredo, if only for just a while.   “Mission accomplished na siya sa mundong ito,” Aquino said.   The President also posthumously conferred on Robredo the Philippine Legion of Honor. Cheering for ‘Pogi’ After the church ceremony and departure honors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police that included a 19-gun salute, Robredo’s remains were taken to the Funeraria Imperial for cremation. Balloons were released into the air after the Philippine National Anthem was played, and the crowds lining the street chanted, "Pogi! Pogi!" —  Robredo's nickname in Naga City — as the cortege passed by. Security was tight along the route between the basilica and the crematorium, and media were not allowed to get near the Robredo family or the President, according to a separate report by dzBB's Tuesday Niu. Robredo died on August 18, when the Piper Seneca plane carrying him and three others from Cebu City crashed into the sea off Masbate on its way to Naga City. Also killed in the crash were the plane's pilot and co-pilot. Only Robredo's aide survived. Last week, Robredo's widow Leni said Robredo’s remains would be cremated in accordance with his wishes, but added they will prepare a burial place for him that Naga residents can visit and where they can pay their respects. The couple has three daughters. Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, was mayor of Naga for 19 years. He was appointed as Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary in July 2010, but was never confirmed by the Commission on Appointments. — RSJ/BM/YA/HS, GMA News