Lagman

House reso: Lagman an unwavering advocate of human rights, rule of law

February 3, 2025 Ryan Ponce Pacpaco 162 views

THE House of Representatives on Monday night adopted a resolution expressing its “profound condolences” to the family of the late Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel C. Lagman.

House Resolution (HR) No. 02214 was authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, and Reps. Yedda K. Romualdez, and Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list.

It was adopted in consolidation with other resolutions filed by other House members.

The resolution described Lagman as “a longtime advocate for human rights, champion of reproductive health, labor rights, agrarian reform, the urban poor, and a strong defender of the rule of law.”

On the other hand, in his own message of condolences over the weekend, Speaker Romualdez praised the late Albay lawmaker for his “sharp intellect, unwavering principles, and deep commitment to the causes he believed in.”

The leader of the 306-strong House said whether one agreed with Lagman or not, “no one could deny his dedication to his work and his tireless advocacy for human rights, good governance, and social justice.”

In its resolution, the House said Lagman “will be remembered and honored by his family, friends, and colleagues as a passionate and fearless legislator; a remarkable and generous father; a warm, thoughtful, and loving brother, uncle, and lolo; a true and loyal friend; and an upright, principled, and unwavering advocate of human rights and the rule of law.”

It said the late Albay congressman was one of its longest-serving members as representative of Albay’s first district from 1987 to 1988, from 2004 to 2013, and from 2016 until his death last Thursday.

He was a member of the 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Congresses. He also served as minority leader, deputy majority leader, senior deputy minority leader, and chairperson of the committee on appropriations, committee on overseas workers affairs, committee on justice, and committee on agrarian reform.

“Honorable Lagman had a perfect attendance in the House of Representatives and his excellent work ethic, superior legal mind, and passion for his job earned him the distinction of being cited as ‘Outstanding Congressman’ annually from 1987 to 2012,” read the House resolution.

He “led the credible, constructive and vigilant opposition in the House; had been a constant voice of reason; and an ardent advocate of the rule of law,” it stated.

The House noted that among the laws of which Lagman was principal author are Republic Act (RA) No. 6657, or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988; RA 9346, entitled, “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines”; RA 9502, or Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008; RA 9745, or Anti-Torture Act of 2009; RA 10931, or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; RA 10354, or The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012; RA 10353, or Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012; and RA 10368, or Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.

At the time of his death, Lagman was president of the Liberal Party, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development, and a newspaper columnist.

Lagman earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of the Philippines, cum laude, and obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree also from UP, where he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather Law Honor Society, editor of the U.P. Law Register, managing editor of The Philippine Collegian and a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu international honor societies.

Married to the late Ma. Cielo Burce, Lagman is survived by their seven children, namely: Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Larah Kristin L. Ramirez, Edcel Greco B. Lagman, Nikos Mahar Lagman, Karina Farah Lagman-Dela Cruz, Andrei Philip B. Lagman, and Marco Stefan B. Lagman.

The House resolved to furnish a copy of the resolution to the Lagman family.

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