House pays last respects to late ex-Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador

The House of Representatives on Wednesday paid its last respects to late Bayan Muna party-list Representative Joel Virador, who passed away early this month at the age of 52.

The chamber held a memorial service for the late congressman, attended by his family, friends and former colleagues.

Virador died on May 7 after a long battle with papillary carcinoma, a form of thyroid cancer.

He served as representative of the Bayan Muna party-list in the 12th and 13th Congress, from 2001 to 2007.

House of Representatives holds necrological services for the late Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/5pS2Mz3O5g

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) May 22, 2019

In his eulogy, incumbent Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate recalled his time with Virador fighting for the rights of the people, particularly of the poor and the marginalized.

He said Virador "dedicated nearly all his life to the service of the Filipino people," and he gave his all for the country up to the last moment of his life.

"I think for us, sa lahat ng mga lingkod-bayan, sa lahat ng mga mamamayan na naghahanap ng mariin at tunay na kapayapaan, tunay na pagbabago, ang legasiya na pwede nating ituloy, in honor of this person, is to continue his advocacies, to continue our search for justice, for peace, to advance and defend human rights," Zarate said.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, meanwhile, offered condolences to the family of Virador, and thanked them for allowing the House to pay its last respects to the late congressman.

In her eulogy, Arroyo said that although Virador died young, he had already contributed much for the country.

"The Congressman Virador lived less than a full lifetime, but he has already left a legacy --- a legacy that went beyond his persona. His legacy was a cause, his legacy was a mission in the parliamentary struggle," she said.

Virador was laid to his final resting place last Sunday. — MDM, GMA News