Speaker Dy honors Daza’s five decades of public service

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday paid tribute to the late former Speaker Pro Tempore Raul A. Daza for his more than five decades of public service, describing his life as an example of dedication, conviction, and commitment to the Filipino people.

In a eulogy delivered on his behalf by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez during the necrological service for Daza at the House of Representatives, the Speaker said the former Northern Samar lawmaker’s legacy should inspire present and future generations of public servants.

“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. Limampung taon mahigit. Mahigit kalahating siglo ng paglilingkod sa bayan,” the Speaker said in his message.

“Marami nang nagbago sa ating bansa. Marami nang administrasyon ang dumaan. Marami nang henerasyon ng mga Pilipino ang lumaki at nagkaroon ng sariling pamilya. But through all those years, one thing remained constant: Congressman Raul Daza’s commitment to public service.”

Speaker Dy said that Daza first entered the House of Representatives 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, said the Speaker.

He stressed that “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.”

The Speaker 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.

“Sa kabila ng kanyang mga narating, hindi niya nakalimutan ang Northern Samar at ang mga taong kanyang kinakatawan,” 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.

“Sa bawat batas na ating ginagawa, sa bawat programang ating isinusulong, at sa bawat desisyong ating pinipili, dapat nating isipin ang mga pamilyang umaasa sa atin,” he said.

Dy also highlighted Daza’s belief that Filipinos share one flag and one country regardless of their political affiliations, describing it as a particularly important reminder for members of the present Congress.

“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,” said the Speaker.

“At kapag kapakanan na ng ating mga kababayan ang pinag-uusapan, dapat nating isantabi ang ating mga pagkakaiba at magtulungan para sa ikabubuti ng bansa.”

The Speaker likewise expressed the gratitude of the House to Daza’s family for the sacrifices they made throughout his long career in government.

“Sa loob ng napakaraming taon, ibinahagi ninyo siya sa sambayanang Pilipino. Maraming pagkakataong ang kanyang oras at lakas ay inilaan niya sa tungkulin at sa mga taong nangangailangan ng kanyang serbisyo,” 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.”

As the House bade farewell to one of its longest-serving former members, Dy urged his fellow lawmakers to reflect on the lasting value of public service and the responsibility that comes with holding public office.

“Ang mga posisyong hawak natin ay pansamantala lamang. Darating ang panahon na matatapos ang ating termino at may ibang hahalili sa atin. Pero ang kabutihang nagawa natin para sa ating kapwa, ang mga taong natulungan natin, at ang mga prinsipyong pinanindigan natin—iyan ang mananatili,” the Speaker said.

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

Dy concluded his tribute by thanking Daza for his contributions to the House, his devotion to Northern Samar, and his lifelong commitment to the country.

“Sa ngalan ng buong Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan, maraming salamat po, Congressman Raul Daza, sa inyong mahabang panahon ng paglilingkod sa ating bayan,” he said.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong mga naiambag sa institusyong ito, sa inyong pagmamahal sa Northern Samar, at sa inyong paninindigan para sa sambayanang Pilipino.”