‘We lost a good friend’
Members of the Legislature and staff stopped what they were doing Wednesday noon to rush to the hospital to pay their respects to their colleague and friend, former congressman Plasido Tagabuel.
Tagabuel, 52, died Wednesday reportedly from various health complications.
Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano, upon getting the news, immediately asked the senators and people in the gallery to stand up and observe a moment of silence as he announced Tagabuel’s passing away.
Shortly thereafter, the senators agreed to adjourn the session so they could go to the hospital and express their sympathy with the family of Tagabuel.
In the same manner, members of the House of Representatives led by House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial headed to the Commonwealth Health Center to honor their late colleague and show support to the family.
Tagabuel had served as acting party chair of Fitial’s Covenant Party prior to being appointed as deputy director of the Legislative Bureau.
“We lost a good friend. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend,” said House leadership spokesman Charles Reyes.
Meantime, the Saipan and Northern Island Legislative Delegation cancelled its session Wednesday afternoon in view of Tagabuel’s death.
The session’s new date has yet to be announced.