MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives held a necrological service for the late Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st District) on Wednesday, February 5.
Lagman passed away at 82 years old on January 30 due to cardiac arrest. He has served a total of nine Congresses as a district representative.
A staunch human rights advocate, Lagman championed protections for human rights defenders, safeguards against teenage pregnancy, and the legalization of absolute divorce, which passed on the third and final reading.
He also served as the minority leader of the 15th Congress.
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“He was a man of deep conviction. Unafraid to stand alone when necessary and unyielding in his belief that governance is not about placating the powerful but about serving the powerless,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said at the mass.
Tabaco, Albay Mayor Krisel Lagman, daughter of the congressman, said that her father was indeed a “fearless legislator whose presence in the House of Representatives commanded respect.”
“Our father took his oath of office very seriously and he included the commitment to do justice to every man as enshrined in the Constitution,” she added.
House lawmakers close to Lagman shared at the mass how he had treated political allies and foes equally and fairly. They said it showed how public service should not discriminate against people, regardless of affiliation and stances.
Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan also said he and Lagman were once partymates. While they may have different views on some issues, he saw the sincere passion of Lagman in protecting human rights and ensuring good governance and social justice was upheld.
“He fought tooth and nail for the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health Law and he never wavered on his convictions despite being the sole independent member of this 19th Congress,” he said.
Krisel acknowledged the eulogies of the House leaders for her father, and said they will” carry on and continue his legacy of service.”
“Let us make papa’s influence viral. The void that he has left is now an opportunity for us to travel what he has and what others before him have started,” Kriscel said.
The memorial service continued at the House People’s Center for others to deliver their eulogies.