Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Colleagues, fellow lawmakers pay tribute to Rep. Lagman

Article (news)

Dennis Gasgonia

ABS-CBN News

Fellow lawmakers and colleagues paid homage to the late Albay Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman, who passed away on Thursday.Albay Second District Rep. Joey Salceda said it has been an honor to serve alongside the late congressman.“He was always formidable. Condolences to the family, and may he rest in peace,” he said.Third District Manila Congressman Joel Chua described Lagman as among the astute minds to serve the Philippine legislature. “I deeply mourn the passing of Congressman Edcel Lagman, one of the sharpest and most brilliant minds in Congress. His mastery of the law and parliamentary procedure was truly awe-inspiring,” he said.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/1/30/albay-rep-edcel-lagman-passes-away-1920">Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away</a></div>Agri Party List Rep. and Senatorial candidate Wilbert Lee said his fellow Bicolano Lagman served as a model of what a lawmaker should be.“Si Manong Edcel ay nagsilbi at patuloy na magsisilbing inspirasyon sa pagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao, pagsusulong ng makabuluhang mga batas, pagtataguyod ng makatarungang lipunan at paglilingkod sa Diyos, kapwa at bansa,” he said.House Speaker and Leyte Congressman Martin Romuladez cited Lagman’s sharp intellect and commitment to the causes he believed in.“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,” he said. “His absence leaves a great void, not just in Congress but in Philippine public service.”Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong praised not only Lagman’s legal brilliance, but also his causes.“More than his brilliance as a lawmaker, Cong. Edcel was a steadfast champion of democracy and human rights. He stood firm against tyranny, never hesitating to speak truth to power even in the most trying times. His courage was not just in words but in action. His dedication to the cause of justice was unwavering, even when it came at great personal cost. He was a beacon of integrity, a man who never compromised his principles, and a leader who always chose the path of righteousness over convenience,” he said.Former senator Bam Aquino said Lagman serves as an inspiration.&quot;Maraming salamat at paalam, Manong Edcel. Maraming salamat sa inspirasyon na ibinigay ninyo sa aming mga lingkod bayan na nagtutuloy ng nasimulan ninyong laban para sa bayan. May you rest in peace, Manong,&quot; he said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/01/06/24/lagman-claims-funds-mobilized-to-kick-off-chacha-petition">Lagman claims funds mobilized to kick off Chacha petition</a></div>The Liberal Party, whom he served as president, mourned over his passing.The party said Lagman championed human rights and always fought for the oppressed. “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,” the party said in a statement. “Ang paggabay at pagmamahal ni Manong Edcel ang nag-ahon sa partido sa panahon ng matitinding pagsubok at mapapait na kabiguan. Lagi naming hahanap-hanapin ang malalim at buong-buo niyang boses na nagpalinaw sa mga komplikadong usapin, nagpaalala sa aming mga tinitindigang prinsipyo, at nagpagaan sa aming mga propesyonal at personal na suliranin.”“Maraming-maraming salamat, at paalam, Manong Edcel. Mananatili kang tanglaw sa laban para sa mas maunlad, mas malaya, at mas makatarungang Pilipinas.”Lagman died of cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon. He was 82.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/1/30/albay-rep-edcel-lagman-passes-away-1920" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away</a></div>

Fellow lawmakers and colleagues paid homage to the late Albay Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman, who passed away on Thursday.

Fellow lawmakers and colleagues paid homage to the late Albay Rep. and Liberal Party President Edcel Lagman, who passed away on Thursday.