Palace offers belated condolences to Joker Arroyo's family

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday offered condolences to the family of former Sen. Joker Arroyo a week after his death.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Arroyo's death "closes a life and career spent in the midst of burning issues of public interest for half a century."

Lacierda also described Arroyo as an outspoken lawyer and legislator.

"As a citizen he was one of those who fought the dictatorship and served in the effort to restore our democracy: This is the Joker Arroyo the country will remember," Lacierda said.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones in their time of grief," he added.

Arroyo died of heart attack in a hospital abroad on October 5. He was 88.

Asked why it took the Palace a week to extend condolences, Coloma said they first awaited from Arroyo's family the confirmation of his death.

Arroyo represented the first district of Makati City from 1992 to 2001 and served as senator from 2001 to 2013.

He was known to be the most frugal member of Congress, earning him the moniker "Scrooge of Congress."

Arroyo also served as the executive secretary of the late President Corazon Aquino. However, he was a critic of the administration of Aquino's son, President Benigno Aquino III.

At one point, Arroyo said the Palace under the watch of the younger Aquino was like a student council running the country.