The House of Representatives on Monday adopted House Resolution (HR) 1691 expressing the chamber’s profound condolences to the family of Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. of the lone district of Dasmariñas City, Cavite province.
Barzaga died on April 27 in California, United States at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga, and sons Francisco, Elpidio III, and Lorenzo.
Following the adoption of the resolution, the House adjourned early as a gesture of respect for the late lawmaker.
The resolution was principally authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Senior Deputy Minority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, and Jude Acidre.
Born on March 25, 1950, in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Barzaga was a highly esteemed certified public accountant and lawyer.
He completed his primary education at Dasmariñas Elementary School in 1962, graduating as valedictorian, and finished his secondary education at the Immaculate Concepcion Academy in 1966, also as valedictorian.
Barzaga earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Major in Accounting degree at San Beda College in 1970, graduating cum laude. He later graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Laws from the Far Eastern University (FEU) in 1975, magna cum laude.
Before entering public service, Barzaga had a successful career as a practicing CPA-lawyer from 1976 to 1996. He also served as law professor at FEU from 1976 to 1992 and as a pre-Bar reviewer in Civil Law from 1983 to 1992.
A dedicated public servant, Barzaga served as mayor of then Municipality of Dasmariñas from 1998 to 2007.
He then represented the second legislative district of Cavite during the 14th Congress (2007 to 2010) and the lone district of the City of Dasmariñas, Cavite during the 15th (2010 to 2013) and 16th (2013 to 2016) Congresses.
He subsequently served as the City Mayor of Dasmariñas City from 2016 to 2019 and again as Representative of the City of Dasmariñas during the 18th Congress (2019 to 2022) up to the present 19th Congress.
Barzaga’s contributions to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation were significant.
He authored and co-authored several bills of national and local importance that became laws, including Republic Act (RA) 11984, also known as the “No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act,” and RA 9723, entitled “An Act Converting the Municipality of Dasmariñas in the Province of Cavite into a Component City to be Known as the City of Dasmariñas.”
During his tenure in the House, Barzaga served as the Chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources and Vice-Chairperson of the Committees on Cooperatives Development, Games and Amusements, Legislative Franchises, and Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
Barzaga was highly respected and cherished by his colleagues for his willingness to assist and his meticulous preparation for plenary sessions and committee hearings.