Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles dies, son confirms

“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 young Nograles said in a Facebook post. (File photo: Prospero Castillo Nograles/Facebook)

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles delivered a sad news on Saturday, May 4, saying that his father, former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, passed away. He was 71.

“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 young Nograles said in a Facebook post.

He said his father passed away “peacefully, [and] surrounded by his family.”

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

The cause of death, however, has not been disclosed, as well as details of the elder Nograles’s wake.

Netizens extended their condolences to the family through the comment section of the young Nongrales’s post, with some thanking the former speaker for the help he had done for them.

Facebook user Matthew Mark Obregon said, “We thank you for the wonderful initiative of providing the less fortunate an opportunity to education. Without your heart for the people, there wouldn’t be successful ones. We are always indebted to what you provided us. We love you, sir.”

He continued, “Your family shall surely continue your legacy in the next years to come. To the Nograles family, thank you for sharing the generosity and loving soul of your father to the people in Davao.”

Also through a Facebook post, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte condoled with the Nograles family, saying, “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.”

Born in Davao City, the elder Nograles finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Davao University, then studied at the Ateneo de Manila University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree major in Political Science in 1967. In 1971, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila Law School, and in that same year, he placed second in the Bar examinations.

He had served as Davao City 1st District Representative for five terms. He became the speaker of the lower chamber in February 2008, under the administration for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Known for being President Rodrigo Duterte’s rival in the local politics in Davao City, the former speaker tried his hand for the mayoral post, but was bested by his political opponent. In 2010, the elder Nograles returned to the mayoral arena, but lost again to another Duterte, Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The elder Nograles, in 2017, apologized to the President for “whatever heartaches” they had in the past years. In response to this, the elder Duterte, said the apology that was made by the former speaker was not ‘really needed.’

“Magkalaban kami sa politika (We are political enemies) but eventually, sinuportahan niya ako kasi (he supported me because) it was to the best interest of Davao,” the Chief Executive had said.