Clad in black jacket, the incoming President upon arrival conferred first with Gov. Albert “Abet” Garcia, outgoing Balanga City mayor and congressman-elect Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III, and other members of the family.
Many sympathizers to the Garcia family could not help but cheer as Duterte entered the Dona Emiliana Hall where the wake was being held. The hall adjacent to the residence of the Garcias was named after Tet’s deceased mother.
Welcoming Duterte aside from Abet and Joet were Tet’s widow, Vicky and other children Ana Mendoza, incoming Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia and Dinalupihan town Mayor Gila Garcia.
Digong and Tet both served in the 11th congress from 1998 to 2001.
Tet, congressman for 17 years and governor for 12 years, won as vice-governor in the May 9 elections but has not been proclaimed.
He died from pneumonia at the Makati Medical Center on Monday night. Tet will be 76 years old on September 13.
