Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman was recently chosen Most Distinguished Alumnus for 2022 by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA).
The award is the highest honor that is bestowed on a graduate of the University of the Philippines.
The UPAA announced in its website that “heading the elite group of University of the Philippines graduates is Albay Representative Edcel C. Lagman (AB, 1962 cum laude; Bachelor of Laws, 1966) who has been named the year’s UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus.”
Under its guidelines, the UPAA Most Distinguished Alumni Award is conferred on alumni “who have demonstrated, in their chosen field of endeavor, exceptional achievements and outstanding contributions that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the University. Recognition is given to achievements and contributions that impact the community in which the Alumni are or have been active, whether this is at the local, national or international level.”
In its letter dated 20 September 2022 to Rep. Lagman, the UPAA stated that “the UPAA Board of Directors is proud to announce that you are the recipient of the 2022 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of your leadership and achievements in your field, and contributions that create change to benefit the lives of many.”
Rep. Lagman is recognized as a conscientious, credible, and articulate opposition leader in the House of Representatives where he was Minority Leader in the 13thCongress, the leader of the Magnificent-7 opposition group in the 17th Congress, and remains an independent opposition member in the current 19th Congress.
He principally authored landmark laws like R.A. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law; R.A. 9346 abolishing the death penalty; R.A. 10868 or the Centenarian Act; various labor statutes for the benefit of the workingman; and a triumvirate of human rights legislation which include R.A. 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act, R.A. 10353 or the Criminalization of Enforced Disappearance Act, and R.A. 10368 or the Compensation to Martial Law Victims Act.
The Albay solon is also acknowledged as the father of the Reproductive Health Act (R.A. 10354) and a principal author of R.A. 11569 or the Prevention of Child Marriage Law.
He is a nine-term Representative since 1987 and chaired important House committees such as Appropriations, 14th Congress; Overseas Workers Affairs, 13th Congress; Justice, 10th Congress; and Agrarian Reform, 8th Congress.
He is currently the President of the Liberal Party.
Rep. Lagman was nominated by Bicol University President Arnulfo Mascariñas and his nomination satisfied the stringent criteria and evaluation of the UPAA awards committee which include the following:
- Service Orientation – the nominee’s work has clearly benefited other people, groups and society at large, and not merely private or personal interests;
- Leadership – the nominee has demonstrated effective and inspiring personal leadership in accomplishing the work for which the award is being given; i.e., achievements can be attributed more to the person than to the official position/job/title held;
- Impact – the nominee’s work has had a substantial impact on the people, geographic area, or sector covered by the award, both qualitatively (how deep, lasting or transformative) and quantitatively (how many people or groups benefited within the area or sector); and
- Integrity – there is no serious concern about, or challenge to, the nominee’s personal integrity.
Among other sectoral awardees for 2022 is former Senator and past Liberal Party President Kiko Panginilan who is conferred the UPAA Distinguished Alumni Award in Public Service.
EDCEL C. LAGMAN
Most Outstanding Alumnus