Stalwart leader in Albay is gone but his legacy remains

Representative Edcel Lagman was named as the superman of Albay. He was the architect of a new breed of politicians in the first district of Albay.

Among the new breed of politicians shaped by the late lawmaker Edcel Lagman were Ako Bicol Rep. Gil Bongalon, former broadcaster now Albay acting governor Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao and her son lawyer John Gio Ong Bongao, city councilor of Tabaco and running for board member in the first district of Albay.

Other young leaders being molded by Lagman were lawyers Shiena Onrubia-Dela Cruz, incumbent board member in Albay and Elmar Barreda. Barreda and Onrubia-Dela Cruz are both running for provincial board members in the first district of Albay.

Bongalon was the ex-officio and city councilor of Tabaco City under the helm of Lagman before being nominee of the Ako Bicol now running against Mayor Krisel Lagman, the eldest daughter of his political patron, in the congressional seat in the first district of Albay.

Acting Albay governor Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao; her son, Lawyer John Gio, lawyers Onrubia-Dela Cruz and Barreda were among the few and new breed of politicians molded by the late superman of Albay.

As a way of mourning, Albay acting governor Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao ordered to fly the Philippine flag at half-mast in the entire province of Albay in honor of Rep. Edcel Lagman Sr.

“On January 30, 2025, the good statesman, incumbent First District Rep. Edcel C. Lagman Sr. peacefully joined our creator. Section 27 of the rules and regulations implementing the flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines of the Republic Act No. 8491 states that the National Flag shall be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning on all the buildings and places where it is displayed, as provided, on the day of the official announcement of the death of the member of the House of Representative for five days,” Ong-Bongao said.

“Now therefore, as acting governor of the province of Albay, by virtue of the powers vested in me by laws and the Constitution of the Philippines, do hereby order that the Philippine flag be flow at half-mast in all government offices and public places where the flag is being displayed in the entire Province of Albay from February 3, 2025 until February 7, 2025 as a sign of respect, honor, and recognition of the incumbent First District Representative of Albay Hon. Edcel C. Lagman Sr. for his exemplary service to the Albayanos and the Filipino people. Done this 31st of January, 2025 in the Province of Albay,” Ong-Bongao said.

Former Vice President Leni Robredo also expressed her sadness over the demise of the veteran lawmaker.

“Mourning the death of Cong. Edcel Lagman. Much has been said about his admirable work as a public servant and how courageously he stood for his principles,” she said in a Facebook post to her wall on Friday.

“My fondness for him was very personal. When I was Vice President, I sought him for political advice. His wisdom, borne from his years as an outstanding public servant, always helped me gain clarity. My frequent visits to his Quezon City home were all memorable because their family serves the best food and I would go home with a week’s worth of baon and a cache of valuable fatherly counsel. Bicol lost a great son. He will be terribly missed,” Robredo said.

Former Albay governor Al Francis C. Bichara also mourned the passing of the veteran lawmaker of Albay.

“Rest in peace, Manoy Edcel. You dedicated your life to serving our community, and you will be deeply missed. Thank you for your friendship and for all you did for Albay and the Bicol Region. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lagman Family,” the former governor said on his Facebook wall.

Similarly, Catanduanes governor Joseph “Boboy” Cua said that Rep. Edcel Lagman Sr. was a true Bicolano icon in public service and governance.

“He was a true Bicolano icon in public service and governance, leaving a legacy of dedication and leadership. May you rest in God’s eternal peace, Cong. Edcel. My deepest condolences to Edcel “GREX” Lagman, Mayor Krisel, and the whole family of late Congressman Hon. Edcel Lagman Sr.,” Cua said on his Facebook wall.

The death of the veteran lawmaker was announced by Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman on Thursday before twilight.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Albay First District Representative and Liberal Party President Edcel C. Lagman. 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,” Lagman said.

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. At his final peaceful moments, he was surrounded by all his children, sisters, and family members.

He came into this world on May 1, 1942 and left it for a better place on January 30, 2025 at exactly 5:01 in the afternoon due to cardiac arrest.

The Lagman family announces the passing of its patriarch, Albay First District Representative and Liberal Party President Edcel C. Lagman.

Rep. Lagman was a member of Congress for a total of 29 years from 1987 to 1998; 2004 to 2013; and 2016 to 2025. Before he became a legislator, he served in the Cory Aquino cabinet as Undersecretary of the-Ministry of Budget and Management.

He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Bachelor of Arts (1962, cum laude) and Bachelor of Laws (1966). He principally authored landmark laws providing for: Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (R.A. 10454); Comprehensive Agrarian Reform (R.A. 6657); Abolition of the Death Penalty (R.A. 9346); Compensation to Martial Law Victims (R.A. 10368), Criminalization of Enforced Disappearance (R.A. 10353), Prohibition of Torture Act (R.A. 9745); and the Prevention of Child Marriage (RA 11596).

He is also the principal author of vital bills pending before the current 19th Congress: Reinstitution of Absolute Divorce; Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy; Protection of Human Rights Defenders; and Prohibition of Red Tagging, among other progressive legislation.

He was honored as Haligi ng Bantayog by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation (2023), Most Outstanding Alumnus of the University of the Philippines (2022), and Human Development Legislator Lifetime Achievement Awardee by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (2017).

A genuine statesman, Rep. Lagman was known for his legal acumen and debating skills, as well as for his incomparable work ethic. A true, dedicated and indefatigable public servant, he took great pride in his perfect attendance. He was indubitably one of the shining lights of Philippine politics.

Mayor Krisel Lagman said that his father left this world the way he lived his life – with integrity, compassion, and fearlessness. He fought until the end with the dogged determination, unshakable tenacity, and remarkable hopefulness that defined all that he stood for.

He was a loving and generous father; a warm and thoughtful brother, uncle and lolo; a true and loyal friend; an upright, principled, and unwavering advocate of human rights; and a staunch defender of the rule of law.

He was married for 50 years to the late Ma. Cielo Burce-Lagman and is survived by his children Krisel, Larah and Melo, Greco and Ana, Nikos and Maritess, Marco and Anne, Karina and BJ, Andrei and Shane; his sisters Nilda Sevilla and Evita Tresvalles; 18 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Juno.

At his final peaceful moments, he was surrounded by all his children, sisters, and family members, Mayor Krisel said.

His remains lie in state at the Mt. Carmel Shrine, New Manila, Quezon City (February 1 [until 9PM only] and will be brought to his residence in Sogod, Bacacay, Albay on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025.

He will be transferred to the St John the Baptist Parish Church on Tuesday, February 4 and will be flown back to Manila in the early morning of February 5, 2025 with necrological services at the House of Representatives on the same date at 10:30 AM.

He will be brought back to Mt. Carmel Shrine on February 6 to 9, 2025. Interment will be on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Loyola Memorial Park Marikina after the funeral mass at 8:30 AM at the Mt Carmel Shrine. – BY RHAYDZ BARCIA