The remains of late and former Foreign Affairs chief Albert del Rosario arrived in the Philippines on Saturday, his family said.
The plane carrying his casket landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at around 5:30 a.m., his daughter Inge said in a statement. On the same aircraft were his wife, Margaret and his sister, Joanne.
"A patriot has returned to his beloved family and his home, the Philippines," the family statement read.
Del Rosario died on April 18 on board a plane bound for San Francisco, United States after suffering from "a massive heart attack".
"While there were valiant attempts to resuscitate him by two doctors who were passengers on the same flight, these efforts were to no avail. Following an investigation by the coroner's office in San Mateo, California, it was determined that the causes of death of Ambassador del Rosario were cardiac insufficiency, congestive heart failure, and cardiomyopathy," the family said.
The country's former top diplomat traveled to California on short notice as "he had deeply hoped to pray at a private devotion to our Lady of the Miraculous Medal."
The champion of the West Philippine Sea, del Rosario was a devotee of the Rosary and sought to pray for better health as he believed he continued to have a mission to fulfill for his country.
His family said he had suffered, over the past 20 years, from various ailments, and had numerous back and knee surgeries but persevered despite the pain and suffering to serve as Philippine ambassador to the United States and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
"Even after he left the DFA because of health reasons, he lived out a work ethic which was unrelenting and an inspiration to us, his family: till the final week before his death, he continued to go to his office in Makati seven days a week, including Sundays and holidays," their statement added.
Del Rosario's wake will be at the Chapel of the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City. It will be open to the public on April 23 and 24.
His family is asking the Filipino people to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul and for consolation in our time of grief.
"We are deeply proud of our former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert F. del Rosario, and are grateful for the outpouring of support for the family. Our Papa, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a Patriot, has returned home to our Merciful God and rests now in the arms of our Blessed Mother. He is home to stay," his family added.