Rosario, Cavite Mayor Nonong Ricafrente passes away at 72

Rosario, Cavite Mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente passed away on Friday at 72 years old.

In a Facebook post, Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla paid tribute to the late mayor and thanked him for his support and service.

“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,” Revilla said.

“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,” he added.

Revilla’s father, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., also expressed his condolences to Ricafrente’s family.

“Damang-dama ng ating mga kalalawigan ang magandang pagbabagong dulot ng iyong pamumuno, kaya lubos kong ipinagdadalamhati ang iyong pagpanaw,” Bong said.

“Maraming salamat sa iyong puso sa paglilingkod. Mananatili ka sa aming puso at mga panalangin… Rest in peace, Nonong. You will be missed,” he added.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) - Cavite Chapter also paid tribute to Ricafrente, a former member of its Board of Directors.

“Your PRC Cavite Chapter family will surely miss you and all your good deeds in service to humanity. We are truly grateful to be with you in your journey and by providing a big heart for [the] public,” the PRC said.

Kawit, Cavite Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo also conveyed condolences to the mayor’s family.

“Kasama ang buong Kawit LGU, nais po naming ipahatid ang aming buong pusong pakikiramay sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay ni Mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente. Talagang nakalulungkot po ang balita ng pagpanaw ng kapwa nating lingkodbayan, at nakikiisa po tayo sa pagdadalamhati ng mga taga-Rosario na mga ka-distrito natin. Kasama niyo po kami sa pamamaalam at pasasalamat kay Mayor Nonong,” he wrote on Facebook.

According to a post of the community group One Rosario Cavite on Facebook, the mayor's wake is being held at the Ricafrente Compound on General Trias Drive, Rosario, Cavite.

—Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA News