Bicol leaders honor Lagman
TABACO CITY — Bicolano leaders on Saturday honored the memory of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who died Friday at the age of 82. Former vice president Leni Robredo remembered seeking guidance from Lagman many times when she was in office. "Mourning the death of Cong. Edcel Lagman. Much has been said about his admirable work as a public servant and how courageously he stood for his principles," she said in a Facebook post Friday. "My fondness for him was very personal. When I was vice president, I sought him for political advice. His wisdom, borne from his years as an outstanding public servant, always helped me gain clarity. My frequent visits to his Quezon City home were all memorable because their family serves the best food and I would go home with a week's worth of baon and a cache of valuable fatherly counsel. Bicol lost a great son. He will be terribly missed," Robredo said. Albay Acting Gov. Glenda Ong-Bongao ordered offices to fly the Philippine flag at half-staff in the entire province of Albay in honor of Lagman. Former Albay governor Al Francis Bichara also mourned the passing of the veteran lawmaker. "Rest in peace, Manoy Edcel. You dedicated your life to serving our community, and you will be deeply missed. Thank you for your friendship and for all you did for Albay and the Bicol Region," the former governor said on Facebook. Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua said Lagman was a true Bicolano icon in public service and governance and left a legacy of dedication and leadership. Lagman was also acknowledged Saturday for shaping a new breed of politicians in the First District of Albay, including Ako Bicol Rep. Gil Bongalon, Ong-Bongao and her son, lawyer John Gio Ong Bongao, city councilor of Tabaco. Other young leaders who were molded by Lagman's guidance were lawyers Shiena Onrubia-de la Cruz, an incumbent board member in Albay and Elmar Barreda. Both are running for provincial board members in the First District of Albay. Bongalon was the ex-officio and city councilor of Tabaco City under the helm of Lagman before being the nominee of the Ako Bicol and is now running against Mayor Krisel Lagman, the eldest daughter of his political patron, for the congressional seat in the First District. Lagman's remains will be brought to his residence in Sogod, Bacacay, Albay, on Sunday, Feb 2. He will be transferred to the St. John the Baptist Parish Church on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and will be flown back to Manila in the early morning of Feb. 5, with necrological services at the House of Representatives on the same date at 10:30 a.m. He will be brought back to Mt. Carmel Shrine on Feb. 6 to 9, 2025. Interment will be on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Loyola Memorial Park Marikina after the funeral mass at 8:30 a.m. at the Mt. Carmel Shrine. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made for the restoration and repair of St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Tabaco City, which was declared a national cultural treasure in 2001. The church was devastated by super typhoon Rolly in 2020. Donations may be deposited to account number 253470002340, PNB Tabaco Branch (peso account), account name: Roman Catholic Bishop of Legazpi, Inc. St. John the Baptist Parish.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
TABACO CITY — Bicolano leaders on Saturday honored the memory of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who died Friday at the age of 82.
Former vice president Leni Robredo remembered seeking guidance from Lagman many times when she was in office.
"Mourning the death of Cong. Edcel Lagman. Much has been said about his admirable work as a public servant and how courageously he stood for his principles," she said in a Facebook post Friday.
"My fondness for him was very personal. When I was vice president, I sought him for political advice. His wisdom, borne from his years as an outstanding public servant, always helped me gain clarity. My frequent visits to his Quezon City home were all memorable because their family serves the best food and I would go home with a week's worth of baon and a cache of valuable fatherly counsel. Bicol lost a great son. He will be terribly missed," Robredo said.
Albay Acting Gov. Glenda Ong-Bongao ordered offices to fly the Philippine flag at half-staff in the entire province of Albay in honor of Lagman.
Former Albay governor Al Francis Bichara also mourned the passing of the veteran lawmaker.
"Rest in peace, Manoy Edcel. You dedicated your life to serving our community, and you will be deeply missed. Thank you for your friendship and for all you did for Albay and the Bicol Region," the former governor said on Facebook.
Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua said Lagman was a true Bicolano icon in public service and governance and left a legacy of dedication and leadership.
Lagman was also acknowledged Saturday for shaping a new breed of politicians in the First District of Albay, including Ako Bicol Rep. Gil Bongalon, Ong-Bongao and her son, lawyer John Gio Ong Bongao, city councilor of Tabaco.
Other young leaders who were molded by Lagman's guidance were lawyers Shiena Onrubia-de la Cruz, an incumbent board member in Albay and Elmar Barreda. Both are running for provincial board members in the First District of Albay.
Bongalon was the ex-officio and city councilor of Tabaco City under the helm of Lagman before being the nominee of the Ako Bicol and is now running against Mayor Krisel Lagman, the eldest daughter of his political patron, for the congressional seat in the First District.
Lagman's remains will be brought to his residence in Sogod, Bacacay, Albay, on Sunday, Feb 2.
He will be transferred to the St. John the Baptist Parish Church on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and will be flown back to Manila in the early morning of Feb. 5, with necrological services at the House of Representatives on the same date at 10:30 a.m.
He will be brought back to Mt. Carmel Shrine on Feb. 6 to 9, 2025. Interment will be on Monday, Feb. 10, at the Loyola Memorial Park Marikina after the funeral mass at 8:30 a.m. at the Mt. Carmel Shrine.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made for the restoration and repair of St. John the Baptist Parish Church in Tabaco City, which was declared a national cultural treasure in 2001. The church was devastated by super typhoon Rolly in 2020. Donations may be deposited to account number 253470002340, PNB Tabaco Branch (peso account), account name: Roman Catholic Bishop of Legazpi, Inc. St. John the Baptist Parish.
