THE House of Representatives on Monday emotionally paid last respects to the late Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo M. Acop during an eulogy held at the legislative chamber.
Speaker Faustino Dy III honored Acop as a lawmaker “who lived a life of integrity, quiet strength, and genuine public service.”
“We feel this loss deeply, not just because we lost a colleague, but because we lost a friend, a brother, and a man who gave his whole heart to public service,” Dy said.
“Today, we gather as one House, one family, united in both grief and gratitude,” he added.
Dy described Acop as someone whose strength lay not in loud words or self-promotion, but in the firmness of his convictions and the clarity of his principles.
“He was someone we trusted. Matatag (Strong). Malinaw ang paninindigan (Determined). He did not seek attention, but his presence was always felt,” the Speaker recalled.
“In moments that required courage, he stood firm, guided not by convenience, but by conscience,” he said.
According to Dy, Acop’s integrity never wavered throughout his years in public service, serving not for recognition but for the people he believed in.
“In every question he asks, in every decision he stands by, his care and sense of responsibility are palpable,” the Speaker said in Filipino.
“He reminded us that public service, at its best, is about honesty, humility, and doing what is right, even when it is difficult,” he pointed out. Maricel V. Cruz
Beyond Congress, Dy noted that Acop quietly helped many—families he assisted, communities he listened to, and people he gave hope to—acts that may not have made headlines but mattered deeply to those he served.
Addressing the bereaved family, the Speaker acknowledged that no words could match the weight of their loss, but assured them that Acop’s life was one that truly mattered.
“His values, his character, and his example live on in this institution, and in all of us who had the privilege of working with him,” Dy said.
He added that Acop leaves behind a clear reminder for those who remain in public service: “that true service is not about titles or power, but about integrity, humility, and genuine care for others.”
