Former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Joel G. Virador passed away Tuesday noon at the age of 52.
His son Harvey Virador, in an interview hours after the former representative’s passing, said his “Tatay” succumbed to papillary carcinoma, a common form of well-differentiated thyroid cancer to result from exposure to radiation, at exactly 12:40nn at the Brokenshire Hospital Integrated Health Ministries, Inc.
The younger Virador, who happens to be the best-friend of this writer, said his father was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and was hospitalized several times since then.
Sometime in 2018, Virador was brought to the Intesive Care Unit (ICU) but partially recovered weeks after.
Last Wednesday, May 1, he was brought to the hospital again where he eventually expired after the disease metastasized all over his body.
Apart from being popular with his intelligence, competent and humbleness, Virador was known to be a loving father to two children and a faithful husband to his wife.
“The best Tatay in the world. Salamat kaayo sa tanang ka ayo nimu Tay. Pasayloa ko sa tanan nakong mga sayop. Amping sa imung biyahe Tay. I love you,” his son wrote on his Facebook post.
Virador is best remembered by his strong stance on human rights abuses. He was among the pioneers of human rights advocate group of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFD-P) and later pioneered Karapatan, a human rights group.
He then became the Representative of Bayan Muna in Congress and served there for nine years.
After his term, he again joined the labor group Kilusang mayo Uno (KMU) and later went on medical leave.
During his college days in Notre Dame Kidapawan where he finished a degree of Bachelor of Commerce, Virador was a youth leader, he was known in the campus for fighting the cause of the students and victims of injustice.
Virador is also among the closest friends of then mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte.
After his days in congress, he ran for councilor in the 1st district of Davao City in the ticket of Mayor Duterte’s “Hugpong ng Taong Lungsod” but lost.
His death came three days after the passing of former House Speaker Prospero “Boy” Nograles. Both served in the congress on the same term.
His remains will be brought to Aglipayan Christian Church in Torres Street, Davao City for two days before transferring his wake in his hometown in Makilala, North Cotabato.
