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Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

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In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Frani and the surname or paternal family name is Barzaga.

Elpidio "Pidi" Frani Barzaga Jr. (March 25, 1950 – April 27, 2024) was a Filipino lawyer and politician. He was the representative of Cavite's 4th district in the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016 and from 2019 until his death in 2024. This district exclusively covers the city of Dasmariñas and was carved out from the 2nd district, which he represented from 2007 to 2010. In addition to his legislative roles, he served as the mayor of Dasmariñas (1998–2007, 2016–2019).[1][2]

The Honorable
Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr.
Official portrait, 2019
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cavite
In office
June 30, 2019 – April 27, 2024
Preceded byJennifer Barzaga
Succeeded byVacant
Constituency4th District
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byJennifer Barzaga
Constituency4th District
In office
June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byGilbert Remulla
Succeeded byLani Mercado
Constituency2nd District
Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite
In office
June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byJennifer Barzaga
Succeeded byJennifer Barzaga
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Preceded byRecto Cantimbuhan
Succeeded byJennifer Barzaga
Officer-in-charge
In office
1986–1987
Preceded byRecto Cantimbuhan
Succeeded byMariano Veluz
Personal details
Born
Elpidio Frani Barzaga Jr.

(1950-03-25)March 25, 1950
Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
DiedApril 27, 2024(2024-04-27) (aged 74)
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Resting placeSacred Heart Memorial Gardens, Dasmariñas
Political partyNUP (2011–2024)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (before 2006)
Lakas–CMD (2006–2011)
SpouseJennifer Austria
Children3
Residence(s)Salawag, Dasmariñas
Alma materSan Beda College (BS)
Far Eastern University (LL.B)
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer

Early life and education

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Barzaga was born on March 25, 1950 in Dasmariñas, Cavite to Elpidio Barzaga Sr. and Magdalena Gelle Frani. He graduated valedictorian from the Dasmariñas Elementary School in 1962 and from the Immaculate Conception Academy in 1966, achieving top honors in both his elementary and secondary education.[3][4] In 1970, He graduated Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting degree cum laude from the San Beda College.[3] In 1975, he completed his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Far Eastern University magna cum laude.[3]

Law career

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After college, he taught law at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law from 1976 to 1992. He was also a Bar Reviewer in Civil Law from 1983 to 1992.[5]

Political career

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Earlier attempts and as OIC (1986)

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Barzaga had his first attempt in politics in 1980 when he ran for municipal mayor of Dasmariñas and lost. In 1986, following the EDSA Revolution, he was appointed as officer-in-charge mayor of Dasmariñas.[2]

He ran for representative of the Second District of Cavite in 1987, for provincial vice governor in 1988, and for municipal mayor, again, in 1992. However, he failed in all of these.[2]

As mayor of Dasmariñas

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Barzaga was eventually elected municipal mayor in 1998 and served for nine years.[2][6] He was succeeded by his wife Jennifer in 2007.[7]

In 2016, the couple, both had served for three terms with Barzaga on his last term as district representative,[8] switched political posts, both running under the National Unity Party.[9] He replaced his wife, that time as city mayor.[9] He served until they replaced each other again in 2019.[10][11]

Congressman

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In 2007, Barzaga, under Kampi which was then part of the ruling coalition (to be known later as Lakas–Kampi–CMD),[12] was elected representative of the Second District of Cavite,[13] defeating incumbent Gilbert Remulla.[14][7]

In the House of Representatives, Barzaga served as vice chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Local Government, and Revision of Laws and was a member of the Committees on Appropriations, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Good Government, Human Rights, Justice, Population and Family Relations, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Transportation, Veteran Affairs and Welfare and the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development.[15]

Barzaga figured prominently on issues concerning Meralco, Sulpicio Lines, the Impeachment Complaint, and Alabang Boys. He authored and sponsored several bills including an act converting Dasmariñas into a component city,[16] a resolution requesting an investigation into oil prices, a resolution requesting an investigation into bidding on updating the Subic Bay Freeport Zone master development plan, and a resolution requesting an investigation of environmental issues during the construction of a casino in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Barzaga, along with fellow provincial representatives Joseph Emilio Abaya and Jesus Crispin Remulla, authored House Bill 4254, which aimed for the congressional reapportionment of Cavite.[6] Approved into law in 2009, this increased the legislative districts of the province from three to seven.[17]

In 2010, Barzaga ran for re-election, this time the Fourth District, which covers Dasmariñas, which had become a city.[6][18] He won a landslide victory,[19] making him the first representative of the new district. In 2011, Barzaga bolted from Lakas–Kampi–CMD to join the newly formed National Unity Party, where he was named the party's vice president for external affairs,[20] and later the party's chairperson.[21]

In the 2012 impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Barzaga became part of the ten-member prosecution panel, handling Article II which focused on Corona's alleged failure to disclose his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.[22][23] At a time, he engaged his former professor on remedial law at the Far Eastern University, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, who was the lead defense counsel,[22] in an argument.[24][25]

In 2013 elections, he successfully sought reelection for his last term under the National Unity Party,[26] which belonged to the coalition led by the Liberal Party (LP)[27] which also had endorsed him.[28]

In 2015, he was criticized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines for threatening to cite journalist Christine F. Herrera of The Standard in contempt, after the latter refused to disclose her sources regarding the alleged bribes provided to lawmakers to expedite the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Barzaga was one of the solons who voted "Yes" for the passage of bill at the committee level.

In 2016, the Barzagas were among those political families which supported the candidacy of Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party in 2016.[27] Barzaga predicted that Grace Poe would not run as the running mate of Roxas, and instead will run under the Nationalist Peoples Coalition, with the idea of a Roxas-Aquino tandem to challenge the Poe-Escudero tandem.[29] Barzaga declined to run for Governor against Remulla, and instead ran for mayor of Dasmariñas.

Barzaga returned to the Congress, particularly in his legislative seat, after being elected in 2019;[10][30][31] he was re-elected in 2022.[11][32][33] On August 6, 2019, he was named national president of the National Unity Party.[34]

In 2020, Barzaga was prominently featured in the hearings for the renewal of ABS-CBN's congressional franchise when he cited Wikipedia as his source of information.[35] He was one of the 70 representatives who voted to deny the franchise renewal, in favor of the report from Technical Working Group.[36]

Barzaga, with his wife, endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo's presidential bid[37] after opposing his political party's decision to back the presidential bid of Bongbong Marcos, who was endorsed likewise by his son and incumbent city councilor, Kiko.[37][38][39] Robredo would later lose to Marcos.[32]

During his tenure as district representative, Barzaga was the chairperson of the House committees on suffrage and electoral reforms (15th Congress),[40] on games and amusement (16th)[41] and on natural resources (18th and 19th).[11][42]

Awards and honors

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In 2008, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Far Eastern University on the celebration of its 80th Founding Anniversary and the Most Distinguished Bedan Award from the San Beda College. He was acknowledged as one of the Most Outstanding Congressmen of 2008 by the Congress Magazine.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Barzaga was married to Jennifer Austria, a registered nurse[43] 25 years his junior. They had three sons: Francisco ("Kiko"), Elpidio III ("Third"), and Lorenzo ("Enzo").[2]

Jennifer has been serving as Dasmariñas mayor from 2007 to 2016 and since 2019;[10][30][43][33] while Francisco has been a city councilor since 2019 and concurrently serves as president of the Philippine Councilors League in Cavite, representing the sector on the Cavite Provincial Board since 2022.[10][30][33]

In early 2000, he underwent quintuple heart bypass operation. He later revealed having diabetes and asthma.[2]

Illness and death

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In October 2023, Barzaga announced that he was going to the United States for a major heart operation.[44] He died at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, California on April 27, 2024, at the age of 74.[45] Three days later, House Speaker Martin Romualdez was designated as the caretaker of Barzaga's district, with the decision not to hold a special election before the 2025 midterm elections.[46]

Barzaga's remains were flown back to the Philippines for a funeral at the City of Dasmariñas Arena from May 12 to 18, 2024.[47] A requiem Mass was held on May 18 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Church before his burial at the Sacred Heart Memorial Gardens in Dasmariñas later that afternoon.[48][49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. Passes Away In US, 74". Politiko. April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Cavite Rep. Pidi Barzaga remembers his defeats and wins on his bday". Politiko (South Luzon). March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
    • Post from the Facebook page of Cong. Pidi Barzaga. March 25, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Quismorio, Ellson (April 27, 2024). "Romualdez saddened by Barzaga's passing, says House lost a 'great legal thinker'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  4. ^ Romero, Paolo (January 15, 2012). "Meet the House panel". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. ^ Oliquino, Edjen (April 27, 2024). "Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. passes away at 74l". Daily Tribune. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Tiongson–Mayrina, Karen (April 5, 2010). "Lawmakers running in new districts they created". GMA News Research. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Tiongson–Mayrina, Karen; Vallarta, Allan (June 29, 2007). "Clans rule: 76 percent of district reps in 14th Congress from dynasties". GMA News Research. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Barzaga couple to switch places in 2016". Politiko (South Luzon). October 19, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Eleksyon 2016: Results, Dasmariñas City". GMA News Online. GMA Network. 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Castro, Glenda Marie; Bueza, Michael (August 30, 2019). "MAP: Major political families in PH after the 2019 elections". Rappler. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Cervantes, Filane Mikee (October 6, 2021). "2 veteran lawmakers file COCs for reelection bid". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Diaz, Jess (June 30, 2009). "'Pacquiao can't run for Senate due to age'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Depasupil, William (May 23, 2007). "GMA allies claim 195 seats". The Manila Times. pp. A1–A2. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ Ronquillo, Marlen (May 27, 2007). "Why they won, why they lost". The Manila Times. pp. A1–A2. Retrieved April 28, 2024 – via Google Books.
  15. ^ "Member Information: Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr". House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
  16. ^ "Republic Act No. 9723" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Republic Act No. 9727" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-02-21.
  18. ^ "Certified list of candidates for congressional and provincial positions, For the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections: Cavite". Commission on Elections. January 30, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Scribd.
  19. ^ "Region IV-A CALABARZON 2010 Results". thepocnews (Philippine Online Chronicles). n.d. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Scribd.
  20. ^ Diaz, Jess (February 4, 2011). "New party for Lakas turned LP lawmakers". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. ^ Porcalla, Delon (October 8, 2012). "Free zones drawn between LP, allies". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  22. ^ a b Ager, Maila (January 19, 2012). "Prosecution solon to face ex-professor Cuevas in Corona trial". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  23. ^ Tordesillas, Ellen (January 18, 2012). "Impeachment trial as comedy". Vera Files. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  24. ^ Esguerra, Christian (January 20, 2012). "Law school professor clashes with 'student'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "BT: Mga nakakaaliw na eksena sa impeachment trial" – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "Certified list of candidates for congressional and provincial positions, for the May 13, 2013, national, local and ARMM elections: Cavite". Commission on Elections. January 18, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via SunStar Philippine News, Scribd.
  27. ^ a b Citations:
  28. ^ Diaz, Jess (September 25, 2012). "Tañada, Biazon still in LP coalition's senatorial list". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  29. ^ "Barzaga: PNoy is better to be Roxas Running mate". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  30. ^ a b c "Eleksyon 2019: Results, Dasmariñas City". GMA News Online. GMA Network. 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  31. ^ Garcia, Patrick; Luci–Atienza, Charissa (May 23, 2019). "28 ex-solons making a comeback". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  32. ^ a b dela Peña, Kurt (May 13, 2022). "All politics is local: Win, loss record of local backers of Marcos, Robredo". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  33. ^ a b c "Eleksyon 2022: Results, Dasmariñas City". GMA News Online. GMA Network. 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  34. ^ Abatayo, Rosalie (August 12, 2019). "PJ Garcia elected NUP's vice president for the Visayas". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  35. ^ Acosta, Zofiya (2020-07-02). "I can't use Wikipedia as a source in class, but politicians can use it at a hearing?". Preen.ph. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  36. ^ Perez-Rubio, Bella (July 10, 2020). "List of lawmakers who voted for and against ABS-CBN franchise renewal". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  37. ^ a b dela Peña, Kurt (March 28, 2022). "Local campaigns take off, show conflicting endorsements in presidential race". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  38. ^ Talabong, Rambo (March 27, 2022). "After NUP backs Marcos Jr., its president endorses Robredo". Rappler. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  39. ^ Sarao, Zacarian (March 27, 2022). "NUP president Barzaga endorses Robredo's presidential bid". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  40. ^ Calica, Aurea (October 26, 2010). "Noy unhappy with Comelec preparations". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  41. ^ Cabacungan, Gil (January 5, 2015). "House warns PCSO: Pay lotto winner or else". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  42. ^ de Layola, Zaldy (January 26, 2023). "House urged to consider automating Oct. 30 barangay, SK polls". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  43. ^ a b "Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga seeking reelection in 2022 polls, vows continuity". Politiko (South Luzon). October 7, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  44. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (October 30, 2023). "Barzaga due for open-heart surgery, but work still on his mind". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  45. ^ Boledo, Jairo (April 27, 2024). "Cavite lawmaker Pidi Barzaga dies at 74". Rappler. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  46. ^ Quismoro, Ellson (April 30, 2024). "Special election no longer possible for late Barzaga's district, says Romualdez". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  47. ^ Dalan, Avito (May 12, 2024). "Honoring of late Cong. Pidi Barzaga". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  48. ^ Jamito, Dennis (May 18, 2024). "Rep. Barzaga, inihatid na huling hantungan". Bombo Radyo Philippines (in Filipino). Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  49. ^ "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio "Pidi" F. Barzaga Jr". Facebook. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
Political offices
Preceded by
Recto Cantimbuhan
 Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite
Officer-in-charge
1986–1987 		Succeeded by
Mariano Veluz
Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite
1998–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite
2016–2019
House of Representatives of the Philippines
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives from the Cavite's 2nd congressional district
2007-2010 		Succeeded by
New district Member of the House of Representatives from Dasmariñas's lone district
2010–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives from Cavite's 4th congressional district
2019–2024 		Vacant
Party political offices
Preceded by National President of the National Unity Party
2019–2024 		Vacant
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