DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 04 May 2019) — Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Jr., passed away Saturday at the age of 71.
“Papa passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. May we please ask for your continued prayers. He is finally at peace,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, also former representative of Davao City’s 1st District, said in a statement.
Former Speaker Prospero Castillo Nograles, 71. Photo from his FB page
Nograles’ eldest son also expressed his family’s deepest gratitude to the people who have been a part of “Papa Boy Nogie’s life and journey.”
Secretary Nograles gave no details on the cause of his father’s death but he was reportedly suffering from a lingering illness. No mention was also made on whether he died in the hospital or in their house in Metro Manila where he had been based for several years.
A known rival of former city mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte, Nograles served as the city’s 1st district Representative from 1989 to 1992, 1995 to 1998, and 2001 until 2010.
On his last term, he was elected as the 22nd Speaker of the House, making him the first Mindanawon lawmaker to hold the position.
In his Facebook post, resigned Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte extended his condolences to the Nograles family.
“My condolences to the family of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, the first Mindanaoan Speaker. I and my family, including all of the Dabawenyos, join you in your grief and we could only comfort you in this time of deep sorrow. Rest in peace Manong Boy,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
