Speaker Dy honors Raul Daza’s five decades of public service

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III paid tribute to the late former Speaker Pro Tempore Raul A. Daza on Monday for his more than five decades of public service, showing his commitment to the Filipino people.

“Today, we gather as one House family to honor and remember a man who devoted more than five decades of his life to serving our country. More than 50 years. More than half a century serving the country,” Dy said in a mix of English and Filipino in his eulogy, which was delivered on his behalf by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez during the necrological service at the House of Representatives.

“So many things have changed our country. Many administrations have passed. Many Filipino generations have grown and had their own families. But through all those years, one thing remained constant: Congressman Raul Daza’s commitment to public service,” Dy added.

READ: Ex-Northern Samar solon Raul Daza dead at 91, family confirms

Dy recalled that Daza first entered the House in 1969 and went on to serve seven terms as a legislator, including as speaker pro tempore and senior deputy speaker.

Daza also served three terms as governor of Northern Samar from 2001 to 2010, as deputy minister of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, and as commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Constitutional Reforms.

A lawyer and certified public accountant, Daza could have pursued other professions, but repeatedly chose to devote his life to public service, Dy said.

“What makes his life remarkable is not simply how long he served. It is the dedication and conviction he brought to every position he held,” he said.

Dy also recognized Daza’s enduring commitment to Northern Samar and its people, noting that the former governor remained mindful of the needs of his constituents despite the many national positions he held.

“Despite what he has reached, he did not forget Northern Samar and the people he represented,” he said.

Drawing from his own experience as a former governor, Dy emphasized that public officials must always remember that their responsibility is to improve the lives of the people who have entrusted them with public office.

“For every law that we make, for every program that we advance, and for every decision that we make, we should think of the families that rely on us,” he said.

Dy also highlighted Daza’s belief that Filipinos share one flag and one country regardless of their political affiliations.

“We may belong to different political parties. We may disagree on policies and on how best to address the problems of our country. But at the end of the day, we all serve the same Filipino people,” he said.

“And when we talk about the welfare of our countrymen, we should set aside our differences and help each other for the good of the country,” he added.

On behalf of the House, Dy thanked Daza’s family for the sacrifices they made throughout his long career in government.

“Through so many years, you shared him with the Filipino people. There were many times when he set aside his time and his effort for his duty and for the people who needed his services,” Dy said.

“For that, we thank you. Thank you for the sacrifices you made and for the love and support that allowed him to serve our country for so many years,” he added.

READ: Northern Samar mourns political ‘titan’ Raul Daza, 91

As the House bade farewell to one of its longest-serving former members, Dy urged his fellow lawmakers to reflect on what their post should stand for, saying: “The positions that we hold are temporary. Time will come when our terms will end, and others will replace us. But the good we have done for others, the people we have helped, and the principles we stood up for — those are what will remain.”

“Congressman Raul Daza spent more than half a century building that legacy,” he added.

Dy concluded his tribute by saying: “In the name of the entire House of Representatives, thank you, Congressman Raul Daza, for your long service to our country. Thank you for what you have shared with this institution, for your love of Northern Samar, and for your standing up for the Filipino people.” /atm