The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) has chosen Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman as its most distinguished alumnus for 2022.
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 Rep. 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 Sept. 20, 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.”
Lagman is recognized as a conscientious, credible and articulate opposition leader in the House of Representatives where he was minority leader in the 13th Congress, 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, such as Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, RA9346 abolishing the death penalty, RA 10868 or the Centenarian Act, various labor statutes for the benefit of the workingman and a triumvirate of human rights legislation which included RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act, RA 10353 or the Criminalization of Enforced Disappearance Act and RA 10368 or the Compensation to Martial Law Victims Act. Rio N. Araja
The Albay solon is also acknowledged as the father of the Reproductive Health Act or RA 10354 and a principal author of RA 11569 or the Prevention of Child Marriage Law. He is currently the President of the Liberal Party.
