House pays last respects to late Speaker Nograles

The House of Representatives on Tuesday paid its last respects to the late Speaker Prospero Nograles, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 71.

A requiem Mass was held at the House of Representatives Plenary Hall attended by his former colleagues, friends and family of the late Speaker, including his sons, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who served as representative of the First District of Davao City, and PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles.

Necrological services followed immediately, led no less than by incumbent Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Nograles died of "respiratory failure, secondary to pneumonia," according to his son Jericho.

He was Speaker of the House from 2008 to 2010, during the presidency of Arroyo.

In her eulogy, Arroyo recounted stories of her and Nograles, with whom she was friends since their teenage years.

She also recalled how the late Speaker loved to sing Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," which speaks so much of the life he lived.

"I would like to thank Boy (Nograles' nickname), today. Yes, Boy, what a wonderful world you helped to create with your friendship, with your work and I believe that even us, your family, the House of Representatives and the secretariat will miss you," she said.

In an earlier statement, Arroyo said Nograles was very helpful to her when she was still an Undersecretary of Trade and Industry in her duty to forge good cooperation between the department and Congress.

"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.

Other personalities who delivered eulogies include former House Secretary-General Atty. Marilyn Barua-Yap, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, former Mandaluyong Representative Neptali Gonzales II, Cavite Governor Crispin "Boying" Remulla, San Juan City Representative Ronaldo Zamora, and former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Jericho, in response, thanked the House of Representatives for honoring his father in this morning's ceremonies.

Karlo earlier said his father passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

"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," he added.

After the necrological services, departure honors will be held before Nograles' remains are flown to Davao. —KG, GMA News