Arroyo mourns passing of late Speaker Nograles

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday mourned the passing of former Speaker Prospero Nograles.

Arroyo, along with House Secretary General Dante Roberto Malig, paid a visit to the wake of the former leader of the House of Representatives in Heritage Park in Taguig City, where they witnessed the ceremonial draping of the Philippine flag on his casket.

LOOK: Speaker Arroyo pays visit at the wake of former Speaker Prospero Nograles. ???? SGMA staff @gmanews pic.twitter.com/R4MMT5OLqy

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) May 5, 2019

In a statement, Arroyo offered her condolences to the loved ones and constituents of the late Speaker.

Nograles was the Speaker of the House from 2008 to 2010, during Arroyo's presidency.

"He was very helpful to me when it was my task as Undersecretary of Trade and Industry to navigate our department’s relations with Congress," 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," he added.

Nograles, who served as representative of the 1st District of Davao City, passed away on Saturday at the age of 71.

According to his son, PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles, the former Speaker died of "respiratory failure, secondary to pneumonia."

A requiem Mass and necrological services will be held at the House of Representatives Plenary Hall on Tuesday in honor of Nograles.

His remains will then be flown to Davao City afterward. —KG, GMA News