THE late congressman Edcel Lagman was a mentor for young lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde said.Lagman was always open to sharing his knowledge with the new generation of lawmakers, Atayde said.'I might be a newbie, but you always smile when you see me. You are one of the few who inspires me to do better at what we do,' Atayde said.The 82-year-old representative of Albay's 1st District died last Thursday of cardiac arrest.Lagman had served in all three branches of government. His track record in Congress would inspire young lawmakers for years to come, Atayde said.Lagman 'was always there for us; he was always there for his people. He may have already left us, but his legacy will always live and continuously inspire all of us,' Atayde said.On Monday, the Philippine flag flew at half-staff at the House to honor Lagman.Lawmakers have extended their condolences to the Lagman family.Speaker Martin Romualdez said Lagman 'was more than a colleague — he was a passionate and fearless legislator whose presence in the House of Representatives commanded respect.'Romualdez praised Lagman's 'sharp intellect, unwavering principles, and deep commitment to the causes he believed in.'Lagman had told The Manila Times last June in its live streaming program 'PrimeTimes with Atty. Lia' that his term as congressman, which ends this year, would be his last, and he would devote his time to his grandchildren.Before becoming a lawmaker, Lagman served as undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management.Among the enacted bills he authored were the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law, the law criminalizing enforced disappearance, the law that abolished the death penalty, and Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.He also wrote a column for The Manila Times.
