Malaca帽ang on Tuesday expressed sympathies to the Macapagal family following the death of Arturo Macapagal, brother of detained Pampanga representative and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
鈥淭he nation lost an outstanding Olympian and a respected business leader with the passing of Arturo D. Macapagal this morning,鈥� Communications Secretary Herminio 鈥淪onny鈥� Coloma said in a statement.
The 72-year-old former athlete died at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday at the Makati Medical Center where he has been confined for Stage 4 prostate cancer.
READ: Arroyo鈥檚 cancer-stricken brother dies
Coloma said Macapagal represented the Philippines in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and in 1976 in Montreal.
鈥淸He] held the national record in Olympic free pistol shooting for more than 21 years,鈥� the Secretary said.
Coloma added that Macapagal is also a 鈥渞ecognized leader in the automotive industry and is a staunch supporter of various socio-civic organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Scholarship Foundation for the Filipino Youth, where he served as Chairman.鈥�
鈥淲e extend our condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Macapagal,鈥� he said.
Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, on Tuesday asked the Sandiganbayan to allow her to visit her brother鈥檚 wake and burial.
READ: Arroyo seeks furlough to attend brother鈥檚 wake, burial