MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer, accountant and former politician Raul Aguila Daza has died, his family announced in a social media post on Thursday.
He was 91.
Daza spent more than five decades in public service, serving seven terms as a congressman and three terms as governor of Northern Samar.
He also served as deputy minister of the Presidential Commission on Good Government and commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Constitutional Reforms.
Daza graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines College of Law and ranked 11th in the Philippine Bar examinations in 1957.
As a lawmaker, he served in the House of Representatives across several periods, including 1969–1972, 1987–1998, 2010–2013, and 2016–2019. He also served as deputy speaker from 1992 to 1998.
His legislative record reflects several recurring priorities: health care, local infrastructure, education, public safety, and access to government services.
Daza was also president of the Liberal Party and described as one of “the steadfast pillars” of the group.
ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, meanwhile, tagged Daza as a “pillar of democracy” who “was steadfast in his service to our fellow Filipinos”.
“Throughout his long years of service, he remained a man of integrity, deep concern for others, and courageous conviction. On behalf of the Liberal Party and the ML Partylist, thank you—thank you so very much! Rest in power, Manong Raul,” De Lima said in Filipino in a statement.
Daza’s remains will lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City starting October 17.
A necrological service will be hereditary at the House of Representatives on October 19 before being flown to his home province where he will be laid in his final resting place on October 24.
“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,” Daza’s family said in a statement.
“We will miss him dearly but his life and principles will continue to guide and inspire our families and future generations,” they added.
