MANILA, Philippines — Colleagues and provincemates paid tribute to Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente who passed away on Friday at the age of 72.
In a social media post on Friday afternoon, the Municipality of Rosario sent its condolences to their town mayor: “Salamat po sa isang bayang tahimik, masaya at maunlad… (Thank you for the peaceful, joyful and efficient town.)”
Cavite Vice Governor Ramon Jolo Revilla III also mourned the death of Ricafrente, saying the town mayor was like a father to Revilla.
“Maraming salamat Mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente sa lahat ng pagmamahal at suporta na ibinigay mo sa akin bilang parang isang anak ninyo na rin at kapwa lingkod bayan. Higit sa lahat, hindi namin matutumbasan ang pamumuno at paglilingkod na iyong inilaan sa iyong mga kababayan na tunay mong minahal at pinagsilbihan ng buong katapatan,” said Revilla.
(Thank you so much Mayor for all your love and support, and treating me like your son. Most of all, we cannot reciprocate your trustworthy service to your constituents.)
Meanwhile, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. recalled his memories with Ricafrente, who was his former running mate.
“Isa kang naging tunay na katuwang sa paglilingkod, hindi lamang sa mga kababayan natin sa Rosario, kundi sa bawat Kabitenyo bilang aking Provincial Administrator sa aking paninilbihan bilang Gobernador. I will also treasure our shared experiences when you were my running mate,” he said in another Facebook post.
Ricafrente was among the recipients of the Civil Service Commission Pagasa (Pagasa) Award in 2013.