Palace declares 7-day national mourning for Laurel

President Arroyo declared yesterday seven days of national mourning for former Vice President Salvador Laurel, who died Wednesday at age 75.

In signing Proclamation No. 544, Mrs. Arroyo ordered all flags flown at half mast in all government offices until Laurel’s remains are buried. "The demise of Salvador H. Laurel, a patriot and a statesman, is a great loss to our people, stirring deep sorrow among them as well as intense admiration and profound gratitude," read the proclamation.

"His public life stands as a testimony to his steadfast struggle against dictatorship and his valiant fight for the preservation of the country’s democratic institutions.

"It is fitting to set aside a period of national mourning to honor a Filipino statesman, who during the public service, had gained prestige for the Republic and provided service of lasting benefit for the Filipino people."

Mrs. Arroyo also ordered the Armed Forces to give Laurel state funeral honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Makati City. Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo has ordered Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo to confer with the Laurel family to arrange for the state funeral.

In an interview with ABS-CBN’s "TV Patrol," Celia Diaz-Laurel said they will hold a Mass for her husband today before his cremated remains are brought to the country.

She tearfully recounted their final moments with the late vice president. "We surrounded him, we sang to him, talked to him and held his hand," she said.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., executive committee chairman of the Nacionalista Party (NP), will lead necrological services to honor Laurel on Sunday. Villar said one of Laurel’s last wishes was to see the revival and strengthening of the once dominant NP. The NP’s necrological services for Laurel will be held at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati on Sunday at 2 p.m., he added. — Marichu Villanueva