Lagman laid to rest today

SAN Fernando City - Eligio “Tiger” Lagman, who died last week from heart failure at the age of 69, will be laid to rest Wednesday at the Sanctuario de San Fernando.

Prior to his interment, there will be a necrological service for the former long-term vice mayor at the City Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. mass at the San Agustin Church.

Lagman, endeared as the “Tiger” of legislation, became popular for his motto “Sa atin, maski sino, kaibigan.”

He last set foot in the City Hall in 2004 as vice mayor of then Mayor Reynaldo Aquino.

He once again “roared” in the 2010 elections, together with his Tiger Team, in an attempt to serve Fernandinos with a strong platform based on poverty alleviation, pro-poor programs and the delivery of basic services, including education, health, livelihood and infrastructure development, but unfortunately missed the comeback opportunity.

In his last interview with Sun.Star Pampanga, he narrated that he “retreated” to his confines in Barangay San Agustin but never really stopped serving the people in his capacity as a businessman, private citizen and as a leader.

“I regularly visit the city and was not detached in any way with Fernandinos. I have no regrets in my political career. As I have often said, man will soon die. But if I am able to leave a legacy to generation after generation, the name of Tiger will never die,” he quipped. (Jovi T. De Leon)