Edcel Lagman

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Edcel C. Lagman

| image = Rep. Edcel Lagman (18th Congress PH).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2019

| office1 = Member of the House of Representatives from Albay's 1st District

| predecessor1 = Edcel Greco Lagman

| successor1 = Vacant

| predecessor2 = Krisel Lagman-Luistro

| successor2 = Edcel Greco Lagman

| term_start3 = June 30, 1987

| term_end3 = June 30, 1998

| predecessor3 = Amando Cope

| successor3 = Krisel Lagman-Luistro

| birth_name = Edcel Castelar Lagman

| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1942|5|1}}

| birth_place = Malinao, Albay, Philippines

| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2025|1|30|1942|5|1}}

| death_place =

| nationality = Filipino

| party = Liberal (2012–2025)

| otherparty = UNIDO (1980–1988)
LDP (1988–2001)
LAMMP (1998–2001)
Lakas–CMD (2001–2012)

| spouse = {{marriage|Maria Cielo Burce||2017|reason=her death}}

| relations = Filemon Lagman (brother)

| children = 7, including Edcel Greco

| residence = Bacacay, Albay

| alma_mater = University of the Philippines Diliman (BA, LL.B)

| occupation = Politician

| profession = Lawyer

| restingplace = Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina

| signature =

| website = {{Official website|edcellagman.ph}}

| footnotes =

| office = House Minority Leader

| termstart = July 26, 2010

| termend = January 20, 2012

| termstart1 = June 30, 2016

| termend1 = January 30, 2025

| predecessor = Ronaldo Zamora

| successor = Danilo Suarez

| termstart2 = June 30, 2004

| termend2 = June 30, 2013

| office4 = 17th President of the Liberal Party

| term_start4 = September 30, 2022

| term_end4 = January 30, 2025

| predecessor4 = Francis Pangilinan

| successor4 = Erin Tañada (acting)

| office5 = President of the Lakas–CMD

| term_start5 = February 25, 2011

| term_end5 = January 19, 2012

| predecessor5 = Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

| successor5 = Bong Revilla

| honorific_prefix = The Honorable

}}

Edcel Castelar Lagman Sr. ({{IPA|tl|ˈʔedsɛl}}, May 1, 1942 – January 30, 2025) was a Filipino human rights lawyer and politician from the province of Albay. He was elected as a member of the House from 1987 to 1998 and 2004 to 2013 and from 2016 up until his death. He served as Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines until 2012, when he resigned the office. Lagman was one of the key Liberal Party figures in the House of Representatives, having supported the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (which he principally authored), the SOGIE Equality Bill, the Free Tertiary Education Act, the Anti-Dynasty Bill, and the Freedom of Information Bill. He was also the principal author of the Divorce Bill, the Human Rights Defenders Bill, the Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Bill, and the Anti-Child Marriage Bill.

Lagman was instrumental to the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines in 2006 and continued to oppose proposals to reinstate capital punishment in the country. He was also the principal author of a triumvirate of human rights laws, namely the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (R.A. 9745), the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012 (R.A. 10353), and the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 (R.A. 10368).

Early life and education

Lagman was born on May 1, 1942, in Malinao, Albay{{cite web|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Edcel-Lagman/6000000131452121068|title=Edcel Castelar Lagman|website=Geni.com|accessdate=June 1, 2024|archive-date=January 24, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124214909/https://www.geni.com/people/Edcel-Lagman/6000000131452121068|url-status=live}} to Pedro Eduardo Diaz Lagman Jr., a teacher and prosecutor, and Cecilia Castelar, who was also a teacher. His first name was derived from a combination of his parents' names. He was the eldest of six siblings.{{cite web |url=https://www.rappler.com/people/profiles/edcel-lagman-background-advocacies-human-rights-reproductive-health-champion/ |title=Edcel Lagman: His mother’s son |website=Rappler |accessdate=February 1, 2025 |archive-date=February 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250204000833/https://www.rappler.com/people/profiles/edcel-lagman-background-advocacies-human-rights-reproductive-health-champion/ |url-status=live }}

Lagman had degrees in political science (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1962, where he became a member of the Alpha Phi Beta fraternity. He eventually finished his Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1966. He also served as a managing editor of the Philippine Collegian and editor of the UP Law Register.{{cite web |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/934635/albay-lawmaker-edcel-lagman-dies-at-82/story/ |title=Veteran lawmaker, human rights advocate Edcel Lagman dies at 82 |website=GMA News |accessdate=January 31, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130140151/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/934635/albay-lawmaker-edcel-lagman-dies-at-82/story/ |url-status=live }}

Political life

Lagman’s first entered government as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Budget and Management in 1986, during the presidency of Corazon Aquino.

Lagman was elected to a total of eight terms as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the 1st district of Albay. He first served from 1987 to 1998, and then from 2004 to 2013, and from 2016 until his death in 2025. His daughter Krisel represented the district from 1998 to 2004 and his son Edcel Greco from 2013 to 2016. Lagman also ran for senator in 1998 under the Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino coalition and for representative of the 4th district of Quezon City in 2001 but lost on both occasions.{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/05/26/99904/belmonte-proclaimed-qc-mayor|title=Belmonte proclaimed QC mayor|first=Bebot Jr.|last=Sison|date=May 26, 2001|access-date=April 24, 2022|work=The Philippine Star|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424005049/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/05/26/99904/belmonte-proclaimed-qc-mayor|url-status=live}} He was also the House Minority Leader from 2010 to 2012.{{Cite web |last=Cepeda |first=Mara |date=2016-07-04 |title=Lagman warns vs brewing ‘subservient’ minority in House |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/138582-lagman-warns-subservient-minority-house/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}} He was the main proponent of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

Lagman was previously a member of Lakas-CMD, of which he was party president from 2011 to 2012,{{cite news|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2011/02/25/news/national/lagman-is-new-lakas-kampi-cmd-chairman/647785|title=Lagman is new Lakas-Kampi CMD chairman|first=Ruben 4th|last=Manahan|date=February 25, 2011|accessdate=June 1, 2024|work=The Manila Times|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601041734/https://www.manilatimes.net/2011/02/25/news/national/lagman-is-new-lakas-kampi-cmd-chairman/647785|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/245074/lagman-quits-as-house-opposition-leader-lakas-chair/story/|title=Lagman quits as House opposition leader, Lakas chair|first=Andreo|last=Calonzo|date=January 19, 2012|accessdate=June 1, 2024|work=GMA News|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601041733/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/245074/lagman-quits-as-house-opposition-leader-lakas-chair/story/|url-status=live}} He later joined the Liberal Party and became its party president in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1673503/edcel-lagman-elected-new-lp-president|title=Edcel Lagman elected new LP president|first=Dempsey|last=Reyes|date=October 1, 2022|access-date=October 1, 2022|website=INQUIRER.net|archive-date=September 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930231654/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1673503/edcel-lagman-elected-new-lp-president|url-status=live}} During the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, he was part of the Magnificent 7 opposition bloc in the House of Representatives.

Controversy

On June 5, 2017, Lagman criticized the bill declaring martial law because of the Siege of Marawi. The petition{{Efn|The petition is called the "Lagman Petition", but multiple representatives are included in the petition.}} states that:

The declaration of martial law has no sufficient factual basis because there is no rebellion or invasion in Marawi City or in any part of Mindanao. It argues that acts of terrorism in Mindanao do not constitute rebellion since there is no proof that its purpose is to remove Mindanao or any part thereof from allegiance to the Philippines, its laws, or its territory.{{Cite web |title=G.R. No. 231658 |url=https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2017/jul2017/gr_231658_2017.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=lawphil.net |archive-date=2024-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719020907/https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2017/jul2017/gr_231658_2017.html |url-status=live }}

In May 2024, former Senate President Tito Sotto claimed that the Absolute Divorce bill, which Lagman authored was "lost". The bill itself was accepted by the Philippine House of Representatives, considering the acceptance, Lagman claimed that Sotto was "lost". “I don’t think he knows how to count. It’s as if he was not Senate president,” Lagman said. The bill was also criticized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Fr. Jerome Secillano stated that “It’s not surprising anymore. The Lower House always passed it in previous Congress. We already have existing legal remedies to couple separation and yet Congress decided to add more”.{{Cite web |last=Porcalla |first=Delon |title=Lagman: House pro-divorce vote valid |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/05/24/2357518/lagman-house-pro-divorce-vote-valid |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Philstar.com}}

Personal life

File:Filemon_Lagman_parents%27_grave1.jpg, Marikina]]

Lagman was the elder brother of Filemon "Popoy" Lagman, the founder of the Partido ng Manggagawa and the Alex Boncayao Brigade who was assassinated in 2001.{{cite web |last1=Santuario |first1=Eduardo III |title=A 'Dirty War' And The Death Of Popoy Lagman |url=https://www.bulatlat.com/archive1/002popoy.htm |website=Bulatlat |date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130123603/https://www.bulatlat.com/archive1/002popoy.htm |url-status=live }} Another brother, Hermon, was a political activist who disappeared during the martial law government of President Ferdinand Marcos.{{Cite web |last=Gavilan |first=Jodesz |title=‘We deserve the truth’: Families of desaparecidos continue to fight for justice |url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/families-victims-enforced-disappearances-fight-justice-truth/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Rappler |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130123953/https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/families-victims-enforced-disappearances-fight-justice-truth/ |url-status=live }}

Lagman was married to Maria Cielo Lagman (née Burce) (1944–2017), Tabaco's first elected woman City Mayor and has seven children: Krisel, Edcel Greco, Larah, Mahar, Mark, Karina and Andre. Edcel Greco became Governor of Albay.{{Cite web |last=Dematera |first=Cet |title=New Albay governor, vice governor assume post |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/02/2227889/new-albay-governor-vice-governor-assume-post |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=2022-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213115100/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/12/02/2227889/new-albay-governor-vice-governor-assume-post |url-status=live }}

Death

Lagman died from a cardiac arrest on January 30, 2025, at the age of 82.{{cite web |last1=Lacuata |first1=Rose Carmelle |last2=Gulla |first2=Vivienne |title=Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman passes away |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/1/30/albay-rep-edcel-lagman-passes-away-1920 |website=ABS-CBN News |date=January 30, 2025 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130114406/https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/1/30/albay-rep-edcel-lagman-passes-away-1920 |url-status=live }} His wake was first held at the Mount Carmel Shrine in Quezon City from January 31 to February 2, before being flown to Albay,{{cite news|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/02/news/national/bicol-leaders-honor-lagman/2048313|title=Bicol leaders honor Lagman|first=Rhaydz|last=Barcia|date=February 2, 2025|accessdate=February 2, 2025|work=The Manila Times|archive-date=February 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202062708/https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/02/news/national/bicol-leaders-honor-lagman/2048313|url-status=live}} where his remains lay at his residence in Bacacay until February 4 and at the Tabaco Church on February 4.{{cite news|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/2/3/robredo-lagmans-death-a-significant-loss-to-liberal-party-1447|title=Robredo: Lagman's death a significant loss to Liberal Party|first=Aireen|last=Perol|date=February 3, 2025|accessdate=February 14, 2025|work=ABS-CBN News}} A necrological service for him was held at the Batasang Pambansa on February 5.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/935308/edcel-lagman-was-the-giant-among-us-say-house-colleagues/story/|title=Edcel Lagman was the 'giant among us,' say House colleagues|first=Llanesca|last=Panti|date=February 5, 2025|accessdate=February 14, 2025|work=GMA Integrated News|archive-date=February 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210180334/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/935308/edcel-lagman-was-the-giant-among-us-say-house-colleagues/story/|url-status=live}} His remains returned to the Mount Carmel Shrine for another wake until his interment at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina on February 10.{{cite news|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/30/albay-representative-edcel-lagman-passes-away-at-82/|title=Albay Representative Edcel Lagman passes away at 82|first=Jovee Marie|last=de la Cruz|date=January 30, 2025|accessdate=February 2, 2025|work=Business Mirror|archive-date=January 31, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131073100/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/30/albay-representative-edcel-lagman-passes-away-at-82/|url-status=live}}

Notes

References

External links

{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=lagman-e |title=Member Information: Edcel C. Lagman |access-date=2022-12-14 |publisher=House of Representatives of the Philippines }}

{{succession box |

before= Ronaldo Zamora |

title= Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives |

years= 2010–2012|

after= Danilo Suarez

}}

{{s-ttl|title=Representative, 1st District of Albay |years= 1987–1998}}

{{succession box |

before= Krisel Lagman-Luistro |

title=Representative, 1st District of Albay |

years= 2004–2013|

after= Edcel Greco Lagman