Former Speaker Nograles passes away

Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles has passed away at the age of 71.

This was confirmed by his son Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Saturday.

"Papa passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family," the younger Nograles said in a statement.

"May we please ask for your continued prayers. He is finally at peace," he added.

"Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of you for being a part of Papa Boy Nogie’s life and journey," the Cabinet official said.

Also, he said his father's wake will be in the Chapel 1 at Heritage Park, Fort Bonifacio, BGC Taguig.

He said viewing is scheduled to start Sunday (May 5) until Monday (May 6). The late Speaker's remains are to be transported to Davao on Tuesday (May 7).

People's Speaker

Prospero Nograles was born October 30,1947 in Davao City. 

Nograles was elected to five terms as a member of the House of Representatives representing the 1st District of Davao City.

He became House Speaker in 2008.

Prospero's son, Secretary Karlo Nograles remembered his father as "a driven public servant who loved his family and faithfully served his constituents."

"His fifteen years in public service —punctuated by his election as the first House Speaker from Mindanao —was dedicated to uplifting the welfare of Dabawenyos and the people of Mindanao," the Cabinet official said.

His other son PBA Party-list Rep. Jericho “Koko” Nograles, in a separate statement, pegged the late Speaker as the "People's Speaker" and a "true leader and a devoted public servant who touched the lives of many people."

The congressman also pointed out that his father's demise came at a time when the Nograles family was celebrating the success of his youngest daughter Migs for passing the 2018 bar exams.

The former Speaker himself placed second in the 1971 Bar examinations after obtaining his law degree from the Ateneo Law School.

Brilliant lawyer

Saddened by the loss of a very good friend, Senator Richard Gordon expressed his family's sympathies and recalled his times with the late Speaker as students and dorm mates at the Ateneo de Manila University.

"He was a hardworking man who worked very hard for his constituents. He was also a brilliant lawyer; he was a Bar topnotch," Gordon said.

"We had happy memories together, not political memories but simply happy memories," Gordon added, also remembering Prospero as "the Big Man" from the South.

Re-electionist Senator Sonny Angara also extended his condolences in a tweet.

Sad to hear this news—RIP former Speaker Boy Nograles, our Spkr in 14th Congress. Condolences @CabSec_Karlo n Rep @Kokonograles and to his family/friends ????????????????????????

— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) May 4, 2019

  —Ted Cordero and Margaret Claire Layug/KG/LBG, GMA News