MANILA — Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Saturday described the late Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman as a “very constructive and supportive critic,” noting that the demise of the opposition lawmaker is a loss to the Department of Labor and Employment. 

Lagman has been consistent in scrutinizing the DOLE’s budget annually to make sure that the funds benefit ordinary Filipino workers, Laguesma told ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the lawmaker’s wake in Quezon City.

 “Magmula nang ako’y bumalik dito sa DOLE, walang pagkakataon na ang aming budget ay naisalang sa Kongreso na hindi siya bahagi ng mga nagtatanong at nagmumungkahi,” the Labor chief said. 

“Ang turing ko sa kaniya, he is a very constructive and supportive critic,” he said.

 “Pinupuna niya ang gawain ng DOLE na ang layunin ay pagbutihin at tiyakin na ang makikinabang ay mga manggagawa, in particular,” he added.

 Lagman has also assisted the DOLE in ensuring that the agency’s programs would reach more areas in Albay, Laguesma said.

 “Kaya nalulungkot kami na siya ay pumanaw na at nawalan kami ng isa pang masigasig at matibay na kasangga, katulong, kabalikat dito sa ating Kongreso sa House of Representatives so kami ay talagang nagluluksa din kasama ng kaniyang pamilya,” he said.

 Lagman’s boldness during congressional hearings and plenary debates stems from his “very real sense” of how important it is to have a “responsible voice of dissent,” said Greco Lagman, the late lawmaker’s son.

 “Kami po talaga ay tuwang tuwa for having a father that is well-respected, for having a father seen as an icon of democracy in a very real sense, and someone who understands the importance of the voice of dissent, the responsible voice of dissent,” he said.

 “My dad would always be a fast-paced debater so there is nothing personal,” he said.

 “It’s always on principle, never a personal thing.”

 Lagman has been elected representative of Albay's first district for 9 congressional terms. This year, he would have been one of the country’s longest serving legislators, being a member of the House of Representatives for 29 years.