Albay Rep. Lagman marks 22nd death anniversary of his brother Ka Popoy

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has commemorated the 22nd death anniversary of his brother Ka Popoy Lagman, a labor leader who was ambushed in 2001.

Lagman thanked all those who continue to recognize and honor the legacy left by his younger brother.

“Ang pamilyang Lagman ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa pagpapatuloy ninyo ng mga adhikain ng aming bunsong kapatid na si Ka Popoy,” said the lawmaker.

“Ang aming pamilya ay naging second family lang ni Ka Popoy. Ang uring mangagawa ay ang sa kanyang pangunahing pamilya,” he added.

Ka Popoy was shot dead while he was at the University of the Philippines.

“Naalaala ko na 22 years ago ngayong hapon na ito, ako ay tumakbo galing sa Kowloon House sa Matalino St. papunta sa Heart Center kung saan dinala si Ka Popoy matapos siya binaril dito sa UP Bahay ng Alumni,” he said.

“Nakita ko kung ilang oras siya lumalaban upang mabuhay — in the same manner that he fought tirelessly and fearlessly for workers, the poor and marginalized, so that they could have decent lives,” he added.

When he was alive, Ka Popoy fought for living wage, security of tenure, freedom to organize and engage in concerted activities.

“Ang matinding inflation rate na 8.1% ay kinain na ang maliliit na pag taas ng minimum wage at kailangan taasan pa ito at ma assure ng government ang food security at pag unlad ng agrikultura upang bumaba ang presyo ng basic commodities,” said Lagman.

“Tapusin na ang ENDO at contractualization upang ma-garantiya ang security of tenure ng mga manggagawa,” he added.

“What Popoy said is a truism that during good times, capital inordinately profits, but during bad times only the workers suffer. Kapag maganda ang ekonomiya ang mga negosyante ang higit na kumikita, nguint pag masama ang ekonomiya, ang mga manggagawa lamang ang nagdurusa,” he continued.