Edcel Lagman - Biography, Positions, and Bills & Laws Authored

Here are some details about Edcel Lagman, Albay First District Rep. and Liberal Party President.

EDCEL LAGMAN – The education, awards, positions, and the bills and laws authored by the late lawmaker and human rights advocate.

One of the most respected figures in the legislative was Edcel Lagman. He was Albay’s 1st District Representative and among the longest-serving lawmakers in Congress post-EDSA revolution.

In a previous article, Lagman’s family confirmed his death due to cardiac arrest. He was 82. To recall, Lagman served as the representative of the First District of Albay for eight terms, from 1987 to 1998, from 2004 to 2013, and from 2016 to the present. He was also the party president of the Liberal Party since 2022.

Here’s a look at his life and the bills and laws he authored

He was born on May 1, 1942, in San Fernando, Camarines Sur. He is famous for his progressive advocacies which included the Reproductive Health Law, legislation on gender equality, and the divorce bill in the Philippines.

For his education, he attained a Law Degree from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, a Bachelor of Law undergraduate from the University of the Philippines, and earned an Honorary Degree in Bachelor of Arts from Bicol University.

His positions:

Undersecretary of the Department of Budget and Management (1986-1987)
Chairman of Major Congressional Committees (Appropriations, 14^th Congress; Overseas Workers Affairs, 13^th Congress; Justice, 10^th Congress; and Agrarian Reform, 8^th Congress)
Senior Deputy Minority Leader (9^th and 10^th Congresses)
Deputy Majority Leader (13^thCongress)
Minority Leader (15^th Congress)
Former Director, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation
Centennial President, Rotary Club of South Triangle
Principal Convenor, MAKATAO (Mambabatas Para sa Karapatang Pantao), 17^th Congress to present
Leader, Magnificent 7 Opposition Bloc, the only authentic, credible, and constructive opposition in the House of Representatives (17^th Congress)
Honorary Chairman, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) to present
Chairman Emeritus, Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) – 2016 to present
Current Columnist, The Manila Times
Former Columnist, Sun Star Manila, Isyu Magazine, and Good Morning Philippines
Contributing Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Some major bills authored by Edcel Lagman:

Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (R.A. No. 10354)
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (R.A. 6657) and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (R.A. 9700)
Compensation to Martial Law Victims (R.A. No. 10368)
Criminalization of Enforced Disappearance (R.A. No. 10353)
Anti-Torture Act (R.A. No. 9745)
Free High School Education Act (R.A. No. 6655)
Cheaper Medicines Act (R.A. No. 9502)
Increased Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to Local Government Units (R.A. No. 7160)
Centenarian Act of 2016 granting additional benefits and privileges to Filipino Centenarians (R.A. No. 10868)
Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act (R.A. No. 10367)
Continuing Voters’ Registration Law (R.A. No. 8189)
Salary Standardization Laws increasing the salaries of government personnel
Creation of the San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology (SFIST) in Malilipot (R.A. No. 7936)
Creation of the Bicol University Tabaco Campus (R.A. No. 8522)
Establishment of the Malinao Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center (R.A. No. 8250)
Grant of Personnel Emergency Relief Allowance (PERA) to government employees and the increased allowances of barangay officials as institutionalized in various General Appropriations Acts (GAAs)
Various Republic Acts granting wage increases and benefits to private sector workers
Abolition of the Death Penalty (R.A. No. 9346)
Expansion of the San Jose Community College and the Tiwi Community College as funded under various GAAs
Construction of road networks in the mainland, upland barangays, San Miguel Island, and Cagraray Island including the Sula Bridge connecting Cagraray Island to the mainland as funded by various GAAs
Granting shares to Local Government Units (LGUs) in the exploration and utilization of national wealth and resources in their respective areas, like geothermal energy in the Municipality of Tiwi. (R.A. No. 7160)
Scholarships, free medical assistance, livelihood support programs, and creation of nationalized barangay high schools funded under various GAAs
Increased Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to Local Government Units (R.A. No. 7160)
Tax exemption and deductions for ordinary workers and employees (R.A. No. 8424)