Duterte visits wake of ex-Speaker Nograles

President Rodrigo Duterte visits the wake of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Sunday night, May 5, 2019. Nograles died on Saturday, May 4, due to respiratory failure. (Photo from Office of the Cabinet Secretary)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte visited the wake of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Sunday night.

Nograles, 71, died on Saturday morning due “respiratory failure, secondary to pneumonia.”

READ: Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles dies at 71 

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said his father “passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.”

Nograles served as House Speaker from 2008 to 2010 during the term of then President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo.

He also served as Davao City 1st district Representative.

Duterte and Nograles were once political rivals that lasted for almost two decades.

Nograles ran against Duterte as Davao City mayor in 1992 but lost.

He again ran fo Davao City mayor in 2010 but lost to presidential daughter and Sara Duterte-Carpio.

During the 2016 elections, Nograles and his family supported Duterte’s presidential bid, ending the political rivalry between the two clans.

In November 2016, the President appointed Nograles’ son, Karlo, as Cabinet Secretary.

In his statement on Sunday, Duterte condoled with the family of Nograles as he remembered the legacy of the late lawmaker.

READ: Duterte speaks of Nograles legacy

“His legacy as a leader who used his voice to speak on behalf of the Filipino people will continue to inspire other politicians and leaders who are committed to serving their countrymen,” he said.

“May he find eternal peace and repose in the arms of our loving Father in heaven. It is also my prayer that the Lord Almighty ease your pain and that you will find solace and strength during this difficult time,” he added.

/atm