Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his condolences to the family and loved ones of Cavite Rep. Elpido Barzaga Jr., whom he described as “a great legal thinker.”
Barzaga died on Saturday at the age of 74 in California, United States.
“We are deeply saddened by Cong Pidi’s passing. The House of Representatives has just lost a great legal thinker and a smart number-cruncher,” Romualdez said in a statement.
Citing his fellow lawmakers, Romualdez described Barzaga as someone “they could turn to for legal advice for understanding the maze of numbers in the national budget,” being a certified public accountant and lawyer.
“I myself consulted him on a number of legal issues. He was always lending a helping hand. We will also remember him as an indefatigable lawmaker who made it a point to attend sessions and participate actively in committee hearings with extensive preparations,” Romualdez said.
“Our prayers and thoughts go to Cong. Pidi’s family, especially his wife, Mayor Jenny Barzaga, his sons, and his constituents,” he added.
Based on previous reports, Barzaga was the president of the National Unity Party. He left the US to undergo an open-heart surgery in October last year.