Raul Daza, longtime congressman of Northern Samar, dies

Statesman Raul Daza passes away at 91.

File photo

Daza had been president of the Liberal Party and was, at the peak of his political career, the second-in-command in the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines – Statesman Raul Daza, the longtime legislator from Northern Samar, has passed away, his family announced on Thursday, October 15.

“He peacefully passed away at 91 years old. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, colleague, mentor and friend,” read the statement of his widow Teresita Ruiz and their family.

“He leaves a legacy of integrity, courage, humility, empathy and commitment to democracy. He was a man who genuinely put himself in the shoes of others,” it added.

Daza served seven non-consecutive terms in the House of Representatives between 1969 and 2019, and was, at the peak of his political career, speaker pro tempore from 1992 to 1998. He was also governor of Northern Samar from 2001 to 2010.

He served as deputy minister of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, the agency tasked with going after the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth.

“A steadfast defender of democracy, justice, and the rule of law, he stood firm in his convictions through the Martial Law years and political exile. He was a member of the Liberal Party (LP) for 61 years, beginning in 1965, and served as its president from 1994 to 1998,” the family’s statement reads.

“Despite the many colors of politics, he firmly believed that we have only one flag and we have only one country,” it added.

Daza was a certified public accountant and a lawyer who graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law. His family said he placed 11th in the Bar exam.

After retiring from politics in 2019, he was succeeded in Congress by his son, Paul, and later his grandson, Niko.

Details of his memorial are as follows:

• October 17 to 19: 3 to 10 pm, The Chapels at Heritage Park, Taguig
• October 18: 7 pm, Tribute by LP, The Chapels at Heritage Park, Taguig
• October 19: 10 am to 12 pm, Necrological Service, House of Representatives, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
• October 21 to 22: 1 pm (October 21) to 12 pm (October 22), Daza Residence in Daganas, Catarman, Northern Samar
• October 22 to 24: 1 pm (October 22) to 12 pm (October 24), Provincial Capitol Gymnatorium, Dalakit, Catarman, Northern Samar
• October 24: Funeral Mass at 1 pm, Our Lady of Annunciation Cathedral, Catarman, Northern Samar

“Please omit flowers. Instead, kindly consider supporting God’s work through the Foundation for the Diocese of Catarman FDC, Inc. Metrobank Account No. 7346502823,” the family said. – Rappler.com