Chiz's father succumbs to cancer

Manila, Philippines -  Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III died in his sleep before dawn yesterday following a two-year bout with colon cancer. He was 69.

The father of Sen. Francis Escudero passed away at 3:30 a.m. in his Quezon City home.

His remains were brought to the Mt. Carmel Church at Broadway corner 5th Street, New Manila, Quezon City.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led the House of Representatives in mourning the death of Escudero. “Despite battling cancer for the past years, Sonny has shown utmost dedication to public service worthy of emulation by all of us who serve in government,” he said. 

“To the end he has religiously attended sessions and committee hearings, actively participating despite being in a wheelchair, and committed to his role as chairman (of the committee). “On behalf of the House of Representatives, my family, and the Filipino people, I extend to him our deep gratitude for the many years of worthy service he has rendered from the time he was Minister of Food and Agriculture during the Marcos era to the very end.”

Belmonte offered his condolences and prayers to Escudero’s wife, Evelina Guevarra-Escudero, and to the rest of his family.

“(Escudero) had a colorful career marked by countless significant legislative contributions, particularly in the area of education and agriculture,” he said.

Escudero was dean of the University of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine in Los Baños, Laguna.

The House will hold necrological services for Escudero tomorrow morning, Secretary-General Marilyn Yap said.

Meanwhile, Cecilia Lagman, mother of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, died due to multiple organ failure at age 98.

She was the first chair of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND).

A son, lawyer Hermon Lagman, disappeared on May 11, 1977 during martial law, and another son, labor leader Filemon Lagman, was assassinated on Feb. 6, 2001. – With Christina Mendez, Sheila Crisostomo