MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The House of Representatives has adopted different resolutions expressing condolences to the family of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who passed away last Thursday.
During the session on Monday, House Resolution (HR) No. 2214, authored by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other House leaders were adopted, in consolidation with HR No. 2211 and 2212.
READ: Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman dies at 82
Aside from Romualdez, the authors of HR No. 2214 are the following:
- Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales
- Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe
- Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan
- Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos
- Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and
- Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre
Lagman, who was also president of the Liberal Party, died last January 30 after succumbing to cardiac arrest. The lawmaker鈥檚 demise was announced by his daughter, Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman.
After his death, tributes poured in for Lagman, from both his allies and political opponents in Congress.
Romualdez, whose pet measures were often criticized by Lagman, acknowledged the late lawmaker鈥檚 鈥渢ireless dedication鈥� to different causes like human rights and social justice.
READ: Political foes, allies hail Edcel Lagman鈥檚 contributions to PH
Lagman鈥檚 death, Romualdez said, leaves a 鈥済reat void鈥� in Philippine public service.
鈥淥n behalf of the House of Representatives, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Liberal Party. May they find comfort in knowing that Cong. Edcel鈥檚 legacy of service and integrity will endure,鈥� he added.
Lagman and Romualdez were once party-mates at Lakas-CMD. However, even with these ties, Lagman strongly opposed several measures that Romualdez supported, like calls for an economic charter change to open certain industries in the country to foreign ownership.
Lagman said he believed foreign direct investments could enter the country without amending the 1987 Constitution, as changing provisions may risk the country鈥檚 patrimony.