Edcel Lagman was the 'giant among us,' say House colleagues

The House of Representatives on Wednesday paid tribute to the late Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Wednesday for standing as the "giant" among his colleagues in his 29 years as a lawmaker.

Former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said Lagman, who died of cardiac arrest at age 82 last January 30, was simply a cut above the rest and always pushed for policies for the greater good.

“They say the true measure of a man is not by the way he died, but the way he lived. By these criteria, we can safely say that Edcel Lagman stood as a giant among us. Yes, even when many of us here were taller than him physically. He was a man of unwavering integrity, principle, and conviction,” Belmonte said during the necrological service for Lagman in the House of Representatives.

“Much has been said about the remarkable legacy he leaves behind in public service. Here, in the hallowed halls of the House of Representatives, we will remember him for the enduring mark he made on our legislative history as a relentless champion of human rights,” Belmonte, who is a co-author of the Reproductive Health bill that later became a law principally authored by Lagman, added.

Behind the landmark laws Lagman fought so hard for, Belmonte said he will fondly remember Lagman’s wit, candor, wisdom, and eloquence.

“There is a constellation of moments that binds the two of us. Edcel was more than a colleague. He was a friend, a brother, and a kindred spirit whose tenacity and brilliance I deeply admire. He was a formidable force here in Congress, an exemplar worth emulating among the public servants of today. But above all, he was a man who fought the good fight for our country, giving it all his heart and mind,” Belmonte said.

“His voice may have fallen silent but his ideals, courage, commitment to justice, human rights, and the rule of law will continue to inspire generations to come. Griselle, Lara, and Melo, Gregson, Anna, Nikos, and Marites, Marco, Ann, Karina, BJ, Andre, Shane, and to the whole Lagman family, maraming maraming salamat for sharing your Papa with us and with the Filipino people You are finally home, Edcel. Rest well, my friend,” he added.

Lagman is survived by his seven children, 18 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, for his part, said Lagman was unafraid to stand alone when necessary.

“He was unyielding in his belief that governance is not about placating the powerful but about serving the powerless. For decades, he walked these halls as both a legislator and a leader—sometimes in the majority, often in the minority, but always in the service of the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.

“His name became synonymous with progressive reform, human rights, and an independent Congress that held itself accountable to history, not just to the tides of politics,” Romualdez added.

Romualdez cited a few laws principally authored by Lagman: the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, the abolition of the death penalty, the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act which provided financial remuneration for the victims of human rights violations during the regime of the late Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

“Each [of these laws serves as] a pillar of his legislative legacy. They were not always popular. They were not always easy. But Edcel Lagman did not come to Congress to seek the approval of the comfortable. He came to uplift those who had been forgotten. And yet, to remember him only for his legislative triumphs is to tell only half his story,” Romualdez said.

“Edcel was more than the sum of the bills he passed or the speeches he delivered. He was a mentor to many, a fierce but respectful opponent, and above all, a man who understood that democracy is built not on agreement but on dialogue, not on uniformity but on dissent. We who remain in public service would do well to learn from his example: to debate fiercely but fairly,” Romualdez added.

As the House bids Lagman farewell, Romualdez said it is now the current roster’s responsibility to carry Lagman’s legacy forward.

“Farewell, Congressman Lagman. May the light of your service never fade. May the laws you fought for never be undone. And may history remember you not just as a legislator, but as a man who stood for what was right, even when it was not easy, even when it was not convenient, and even when he had to stand alone. Maraming salamat, Edcel. Paalam at pagpupugay,” Romualdez said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News