Former House speaker, PDP leader Jarabo dies at 85

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, left, paid tribute to former Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives José Ronaldo “Ronny” Jarabo Álvarez, who died on Sunday at age 85, as a “shrewd adversary, a fierce opponent, a valuable advisor, elegant in his dress, his manner of dealing with others, and his manner of speaking. An intellectual and upright man.”

By The Star Staff

Veteran Popular Democratic Party (PDP) leader, former House Speaker, and political analyst José Ronaldo “Ronny” Jarabo Álvarez passed away Sunday after several weeks in the hospital. He was 85 years old.

“It is with deep sorrow that I receive the news of the passing of Ronny Jarabo, former Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives,” PDP President Pablo José Hernández Rivera said in a written statement Sunday. “Ronny was a brilliant leader, an exceptional orator, and a committed public servant. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”

House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez said in a written statement: “The members of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives, the legislative body closest to the people and which he always loved, join together in expressing our condolences to the family of ‘Ronny’ Jarabo. Our prayers are with his wife, Madeline, his family, and friends during this difficult time.”

“During the next few hours, I will be communicating with his wife to coordinate the events associated with the funeral service at the Capitol,” he added.

Separately, the Puerto Rico Senate approved Senate Resolution 249 to honor Jarabo’s legacy.

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz offered words of praise for the deceased, who had been hospitalized reportedly due to a brain tumor.

“Good morning, Puerto Rico. A great friend, a political leader like few others, a statesman, but above all, a good Puerto Rican, has passed away,” the Senate leader said on his social media account. “A shrewd adversary, a fierce opponent, a valuable advisor, elegant in his dress, his manner of dealing with others, and his manner of speaking. An intellectual and upright man. José Ronaldo Jarabo, ‘Ronny,’ brother, friend, rest in peace!”

Meanwhile, Jorge “Georgie” González Otero, president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association, stated, “Rony not only presided over the House of Representatives with wisdom and firmness, but also left an indelible mark as a brilliant orator, a passionate intellectual, and a public servant committed to the country. His legacy lives on in every well-spoken word, in every debate where reason and justice intersected, and in the memory of those of us who had the privilege of listening to him and learning from him. Today, Puerto Rico loses one of its greats. From every corner of our island, the mayors join in the mourning of his family and all those who loved and admired him. Thank you, for so much. May your voice continue to resonate in the halls of history. May he rest in peace.”

Jarabo was a PDP parliamentarian for 20 years, between 1973 and 1992. Between 1981 and 1984, he was the party’s majority leader in the House.

His career ended after a scandal in which he was accused of domestic violence. In 1992, reports at the time said Jarabo went to the apartment of former beauty queen Elizabeth Zayas and her husband, Frank Kolodziej, to confront the latter on an alleged extramarital relationship he was having with Teresa Bengoa, then Jarabo’s wife. Jarabo was accused on several charges, including assault.

He was acquitted by the courts of four criminal charges that were brought after the altercation. The case reportedly cost Jarabo his reelection in the PDP primaries, ending his career as a legislator.

For many years, he continued to work as an adviser at the Legislature. He was expelled from the PDP in the past election for supporting New Progressive Party incumbent candidate Miguel Romero Lugo for mayor of San Juan. As previously reported by the Star, Hernández recently rescinded the expulsion.