The House of Representatives on Feb. 5 holds a farewell tribute to one of its longest-serving lawmakers, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who died of cardiac arrest on Jan. 30 at the age of 82. Serving as representative of his province’s first district since 1987 for a total of nine terms, Lagman had a legislative career notable not only for its length of tenure but for the consistency of his progressive ideals and his integrity—in keeping with his background as a champion of human rights and as the father figure among his activist siblings (two of whom paid dearly with their lives for the same idealism). As an independent congressman, he often differed with the House majority and by extension the ruling dispensation in Malacañang, including the administration of President Benigno Aquino III which he had often criticized. But he sided with Aquino in pushing such landmark legislation as the Reproductive Health Act of 2012—and, ever the contrarian, allied himself with Aquino’s Liberal Party when it was no longer in power, becoming its president in his final years. Above all, the simple-living Lagman, apart from his passion for smoking, contradicted the image of the traditional politician who enriched oneself while staying longer in public office. His outspokenness in the halls of Congress, rather than alienating his colleagues, drew their admiration and respect. “Whether one agreed with him or not, no one could deny his dedication to his work and his tireless advocacy for human rights, good governance and social justice,” Speaker Martin Romualdez said of his departed colleague. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA AND JOAN BONDOC
PESO’S JOB MARKET
Applicants on Friday flock to a job fair organized by the Public Employment Service Office (Peso) at a mall in Manila. Established by Republic Act No. 8759 which then President Joseph Estrada enacted on Feb. 14, 2000, Peso is a multiemployment service facility introduced by the government as it began to tap the internet in its “e-governance” drive. Its website (peis.philjobnet.ph) offers interested applicants a variety of job vacancies in the public sector, not only in Metro Manila but also among local government units (LGUs) around the country. Private sector employers may also avail themselves of the website by posting their available jobs. The agency, which also regularly holds job fairs, said it is “maintained largely by LGUs as well as NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), community-based organizations, and state universities and colleges.” —RICHARD A. REYES
PROPERTY TAKEOVER
Photo (Above) taken on Thursday provides a scenic view of Scout Hill Drive in Camp John Hay, Baguio City. The former US recreational headquarters has been home for more than two decades to more than 60 leaseholders of residential properties there. But in January, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) began taking over John Hay after resolving a dispute with developer Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco). On Friday, its residents found themselves barred from the premises (above). They had appealed to President Marcos to intercede on their behalf. But last week the BCDA entered into new lease contracts with 40 sublessees of CJHDevco, which has conducted an inventory of John Hay’s movable properties in case the BCDA fails to settle its issues with the residents. —NEIL CLARK ONCHANGCO AND VINCENT CABREZA
