Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Romeo Acop, House of Representatives photo release

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766294630041hrep6005-20240627-230856.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Antipolo City wnd District Rep. Romeo Acop presides over a hearing in June 2024. House of Representatives photo release "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop presides over a hearing in June 2024. House of Representatives photo release </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop has died at 78, his party mate and longtime friend Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno said Sunday.</p><p>Puno, chairman of the National Unity Party and congressman of the district neighboring Acop&#x27;s, said the former police official had a heart attack on Saturday night. </p><p>&quot;Our hearts are broken. He was a friend for more than 25 years and a devoted, courageous, honest public servant,&quot; Puno said.</p><p>He added that Acop had a successful kidney transplant in late November and had been &quot;recovering well and...was up and about.&quot; </p><p>He added: &quot;We were excited for his imminent return to us.&quot; </p><p>Puno&#x27;s statement comes after reports that Acop had a medical emergency at home on Saturday evening. Acop had reportedly been brought to a hospital but was pronounced dead later that night.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;BIG LOSS FOR THE HOUSE, ANTIPOLO, AND THE PEOPLE&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the House of Representatives is mourning the passing of an “honest, brave, and principled public servant”.</p><p>Dy said Acop was a model public servant who made clear in each task that he stood for the rule of law and the people&#x27;s welfare.</p><p>“Malaking kawalan ang kanyang pagpanaw para sa Kongreso, para sa Antipolo at para sa sambayanang Pilipino,&quot; Dy added.</p><p>(His death is a huge loss to the House, Antipolo, and the Filipino people)</p><p>Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, former House speaker, recalled Acop’s contributions as senior vice chairperson of the House Quad Committee, which investigated alleged extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.</p><p>“As one of the Quad Comm leaders, Chairman Acop handled every investigation with a clear purpose and full respect for due process. He believed the House should always use its oversight powers responsibly, grounded in facts and the search for truth,” Romualdez said.</p><p>“He was firm but fair. He asked the hard questions, but always within the bounds of decency and institutional respect. That kind of leadership elevated the credibility of the committee and the House itself,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;MENTOR, DISCIPLINED INVESTIGATOR&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and House Committee on Good Government Chairperson Joel Chua of Manila also expressed condolences to Acop’s family. They remembered the late lawmaker as a “mentor”. </p><p>“He taught us how to ask questions that mattered, how to build a line of inquiry patiently and methodically, and how to pursue truth without sacrificing fairness or due process. He showed us that real accountability is achieved not through spectacle, but through discipline, preparation, and respect for institutions,” Adiong said.</p><p>“Every time he speaks in any House investigation, we are in his master class on criminal justice. Liars who testify before hearings have no place to hide when it is attorney and former [Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] chief Romeo Acop firing the questions,” Chua added.</p><p>House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list, said the Quad Comm of the 20th Congress will &quot;continue [Acop&#x27;s] work, hold all involved parties to account, and pursue meaningful reforms in law enforcement and good governance.”</p>

<p>Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop has died at 78, his party mate and longtime friend Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno said Sunday.</p>

Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop has died at 78, his party mate and longtime friend Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno said Sunday.

Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop dies after heart attack

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Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop dies after heart attack

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 21, 2025 01:37 PM PHT

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Updated December 21, 2025 02:27 PM PHT

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Romeo Acop

Antipolo City

Obituaries

House of Representatives

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