Daven Tamayo

Rep. Edcel Lagman speaks on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal during a press conference at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on February 26, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

House Presscon on ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal

Carmelle Lacuata

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20250130110116/d1c9d202-0235-4ab4-bc48-0860d35892b4.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="Rep. Edcel Lagman speaks on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal during a press conference at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on February 26, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file" style="width:960px"/>Rep. Edcel Lagman speaks on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal during a press conference at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on February 26, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file</div>MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Albay First District Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman passed away Thursday, his family said.In a statement, Tabaco Mayor Krisel Lagman said her father died of cardiac arrest Thursday afternoon. He was 82.Mayor Lagman said they will remember her father as a principled and unwavering advocate of human rights.“He left this world the way he lived his life - with integrity, compassion, and fearlessness. He fought until the end with the dogged determination, tenacity, and unshakable hopefulness that defined all that he stood for,” she said.“He will be remembered and honored by his family, friends, and colleagues as 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. He will live on in our hearts and we will continue to honor his memory by living our lives the way that would make him proud,” Mayor Lagman added.Mayor Lagman said her father was surrounded by family when he died.Lagman had been serving as the representative of the First District of Albay for eight terms, from 1987 to 1998, then from 2004 to 2013, and from 2016 to present.He was also the party president of the Liberal Party since 2022.In a statement, the LIberal Party expressed its deep sorrow at the passing of Lagman.“Sa kanyang mahabang karera bilang abogado ng karapatang pantao at mambabatas, walang kapaguran niyang ipinaglaban ang mga biktima ng pang-aabuso, ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng kababaihan, kabataan at LGBT, at ang tapat at mahusay na pamamahala. Sa kanyang pagkawala, nabawasan ng isang matalas, masipag, at matapang na lingkod-bayan ang Pilipinas,” it said.The party also expressed its gratitude to “Manong Edcel” for his contributions to the country.“Maraming-maraming salamat, at paalam, Manong Edcel. Mananatili kang tanglaw sa laban para sa mas maunlad, mas malaya, at mas makatarungang Pilipinas,” it added.The Office of the House Speaker Martin Romualdez also mourned Lagman’s passing, citing that the latter’s presence commanded respect among his colleagues.“Whether one agreed with him or not, no one could deny his dedication to his work and his tireless advocacy for human rights, good governance and social justice. His voice—always firm, always eloquent—pushed important debates forward and challenged us all to think more critically and act more decisively,” said Romualdez in a statement.“His absence leaves a great void, not just in Congress but in Philippine public service. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the Liberal Party.”Among the laws Rep. Lagman authored are the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the Compensation to Martial Law Victims, the Anti-Torture Act, and the law abolishing death penalty in the country. He is also among the principal authors of the Absolute Divorce Bill.

Albay First District Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman passed away Thursday, his family said.

Albay First District Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman passed away Thursday, his family said.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away

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Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 30, 2025 07:19 PM PHT

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Updated January 30, 2025 09:43 PM PHT

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