Nograles: Farewell Cerge, we will miss you

It is with deep shock and sadness that we now have to bid farewell to our dear friend Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, a hard working public servant and one of the most trusted members of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Cabinet.

Secretary Remonde is a great loss. He is a true public servant who has sacrificed most of his public life in the service of the people.

He was an old personal friend from Cebu for years. He withstood all the pressures and stood his ground even when faced with the most controversial issues during his watch.

He was the administration's first line of defense and did his utmost best with dedication, hard work and service to the news and the media profession. He died as a true media man till his last breath.

I will miss him officially and personally as a friend in golf, in social circles and in all official government functions. Media lost a truly dedicated media man.

But as true Christians, we must accept that only God knows our fate. His infinite wisdom, we can not and should never question.

I can only admire and miss his loyalty to duty, his professionalism, his candor and humility.  He has earned an indelible niche in public service.

In behalf of all the members and secretariat of the House of Representatives, we extend our deepest sympathy to his grieving family and loved ones.

We will miss a true friend and a gentleman. May the heavens open its doors to this good man.