Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop dead —police

Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop has died on Saturday evening, according to police.

The report said it was around 10:12 p.m. when Acop was found lying on the floor by his youngest child, Dr. Karla Marie Acop, and his security aide, Pat Frank Louie Pastrana, who went to his room after the solon’s nurse alerted them of an emergency.

The 78-year-old Acop was rushed to the Assumption Hospital where despite efforts to revive the lawmaker, was pronounced dead at 10:56 p.m.

In Luisito Santo’s Super dzBB report, the Philippine National Police confirmed the lawmaker’s death based on a report from the Rizal Provincial Police Office.

JUST IN: Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, pumanaw na — PNP | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/7F0RgmOMWi

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 21, 2025

The cause of his death and details of his wake have yet to be announced. 

Acop served as vice chairperson of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm), which probed into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and the Duterte administration's war on drugs.  

The Quadcomm inquiries resulted in the filing of the proposed Anti-Extrajudicial Killing Act and the Civil Forfeiture Act. 

He also inquired about “Mary Grace Piattos,” whose signature appeared the most in acknowledgement receipts for confidential funds of offices under Vice President Sara Duterte.

Before running for public office, Acop served as the Chief Director of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Lawmakers react

Acop's passing was confirmed by House Deputy Speaker Representative Ronaldo Puno to GMA Integrated News.

"Sadly, he has really passed on. He had his successful kidney transplant last November 28. He was recovering well and he was up and about. We were excited for his imminent return to us. Then he had a heart attack last night," said Puno, who is also the representative of Antipolo City's 1st District.

"Our hearts are broken. He was a friend for more than 25 years and a devoted, courageous, HONEST public servant. The Congress and our Country are the lesser for his loss," Puno added in his message.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Sunday mourned the passing of Acop, whom he described as a friend and upperclassman.

"I am saddened, even devastated to learn about Sir Romy Acop’s passing. He was a dear friend, cavalier, upperclassman and adviser. We started working closely together in our earnest, sincere efforts to cleanse the police organization of scalawags and misfits when I was CPNP and he was my Director for Comptrollership. It was his original recommendation to download 85% of the PNP’s financial and logistical resources to our frontline units, while leaving only 15% to the headquarters as an integral part of the PNP reformation program," Lacson said in a statement.

"Our friendship even grew stronger when I  became senator in 2001 and he was elected district representative of Antipolo City nine years later in 2010," he added.

"His children may be comforted with the thought that he is now with his wife, Dr/Cong. Resurreccion “Cion” Marrero Acop who died of complications from Covid-19 five years ago. He will surely be missed. May he rest in peace," Lacson said.

Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy said Acop was an honest public servant, and was courageous and had strong convictions.

"Lubos na nagdadalamhati ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan sa pagpanaw ni Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Macusi Acop, isang lingkod-bayang tapat, matapang at may matibay na paninindigan," Dy said.

"Siya ay huwaran ng integridad sa serbisyo publiko. Sa bawat tungkuling kanyang ginampanan, malinaw ang kanyang paninindigan na ang batas ay para sa kapakanan ng mamamayan at ang kapangyarihan ay pananagutan, hindi pribilehiyo," he added.

Although Acop's passing is a huge loss to Congress and Antipolo City, and to the country, he left behind a legacy of true public service that can serve as guide for the institutions he has served, the Speaker added.

"Malaking kawalan ang kanyang pagpanaw para sa Kongreso, para sa Antipolo at para sa sambayanang Pilipino. Gayunpaman, ang kanyang halimbawa bilang isang marangal at tapat na lingkod-bayan ay mananatili at patuloy na magsisilbing gabay sa mga institusyong kanyang pinaglingkuran," Dy said.

"Nakikiisa ang Kapulungan sa pagluluksa ng kanyang pamilya, mga kaibigan at iba pang mahal sa buhay. Maraming salamat, Cong. Romeo Acop. Ang inyong serbisyo, dangal, at mga makabuluhang kontribusyon ay hindi namin malilimutan," he added.

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said Acop's passing is a significant loss to the House of Representatives and to the country.

“We mourn the passing of Representative Romeo Acop, a dedicated public servant who lived with discipline and integrity and remained unwavering in his commitment to serve the Filipino people,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“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,” the former Speaker said.

“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,” Romualdez added.

“He never chased headlines. He showed up, did the work, and stayed true to the belief that public office is a public trust,” he said, as he expressed condolences to Acop's family and constituents in Antipolo City. —RF/KG, GMA Integrated News