Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Detained former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s brother, Arturo dela Rosa Macapagal, has passed away early morning on Tuesday (August 11). He was 72.
Arroyo’s lawyer, Larry Gadon, confirmed that Arturo died at around 7 a.m. He suffered from stage four prostate cancer.
The former president was supposed to visit her brother at the Makati Medical Center Tuesday afternoon. She was granted by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to leave her place of detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for five hours — from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Related: Sandiganbayan allows Gloria Arroyo to visit sick brother
Earlier, Arroyo filed a motion asking the anti-graft court to allow her to go to her brother’s wake at the Heritage Memorial Park.
The Sandiganbayan partially granted the motion and allowed the former president to attend the wake on Tuesday, Wednesday (August 12), and Friday (August 14), from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Arroyo is facing a plunder case before the anti-graft court’s First Division over the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds during her presidency.
Palace condoles
Meanwhile, Malacanan extended its condolences to the family of the late Olympian.
“The nation lost an outstanding Olympian and a respected business leader with the passing of Arturo Macapagal this morning. Mr. Macapagal represented the country in 1972 Munich and the 1976 Montreal Olympic games and held the national record on Olympic free pistol shooting for more than 21 years.”
“He is a recognized leader in the automotive industry and a staunch supporter of various social civic organizations such as habitat for humanity and scholarship foundation for the Filipino youth where he served as chairman. We extend our condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Macapagal.”
CNN Philippines’ Kimberly Go contributed to this report.
