Arroyo mourns passing of former House Speaker Nograles

MANILA, Philippines— House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday mourned the passing of her colleague and former House Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles.

In a statement, Arroyo paid tribute to Nograles, whom she said she had worked with while she was an undersecretary with the Department of Trade and Industry in the early 1990s.

She said Nograles was very helpful when she had to "navigate [the] department's relations with Congress."

 She also extended her deepest condolences to the loved ones of Nograles as well as his constituents.

"It was my honor that he was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010 during my presidency," Arroyo said.

“I recall how much he was loved, not only by his fellow congressmen but, just as important, by the staff of the House whose welfare he cared so much about. We will miss him,” she added.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III in  a radio interview said he also learned of Nograles’ passing. He said he knew the former House Speaker when he was still a vice-mayor.

Nograles passed away on Saturday due to “respiratory failure, secondary to pneumonia.” He was 71.

READ: Ex-House Speaker Prospero Nograles dead at age 71

His son Cabinet Secretary Karlos Nograles said his father died “peacefully and surrounded by his family.”

The former House speaker, a bar topnotcher, served the House of Representatives for five terms. He was the 22nd speaker of the House and served in that capacity from 2008 to 2010.

The House of Representatives flew its flag at half-staff on Sunday to honor the late speaker.

The chamber also scheduled a necrological service for the late former speakerat the Session Hall of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

His remains will then be brought to his hometown of Davao City for his funeral service.