| Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the Cavite's Fourth District (also known as the Lone District of Dasmariñas City) |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Newly Created |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the Cavite's Second District | |
| In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Gilbert Remulla |
| Succeeded by | Lani M. Revilla |
| Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007 |
|
| Preceded by | Recto Cantimbuhan |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer A. Barzaga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 25, 1950 Dasmariñas, Cavite |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Lakas Kampi CMD (2006-2011) NUP (2011- present) |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer A. Barzaga |
| Children | Franciso A. Barzaga Elpidio A. Barzaga III Lorenzo A. Barzaga |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern San Beda |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Elpido "Pidi" F. Barzaga, Jr. (born March 25, 1950 in Dasmariñas, Cavite) is a Filipino politician from the province of Cavite representing the City of Dasmariñas
He is the son of Elpidio Mangubat Barzaga, Sr. and Magdalena Gelle Frani, both natives of Dasmariñas. He was not born rich but was gifted with a brilliant mind and an admirable fortitude.
Pidi graduated Valedictorian from the Dasmariñas Elementary School. For his secondary education, he was Valedictorian of the Class of 1966 of Immaculate Conception Academy. After earning his degree on BS Commerce Major in Accounting as Cum Laude from the San Beda College, he completed his Bachelor of Laws Degree from the Far Eastern University as Magna Cum Laude, all while he was a working student.
After college, he did not leave the confines of the academe for he chose to teach law at FEU from 1976 to 1992 and was a Bar Reviewer in Civil Law from 1983 to 1992. He was a practicing CPA-Lawyer and a remarkable trial lawyer.
When he won as Municipal Mayor of Dasmariñas in 1998, he gave public office a fresh meaning as manifested in the municipality’s massive transformation into a first class suburbia. An overwhelming mandate from his people guaranteed him nine uninterrupted years of public service. These years showcased Pidi’s brilliance, unrelenting passion, and determination, which brought forth innumerable infrastructure, educational, cultural, civic, health and sports programs that were never realized before. His accomplishments in Dasmariñas and the love of his people rippled far and wide and on July 1, 2007, he took his seat in the House of Representatives and unseated Gilbert Remulla to serve as the voice of the people in the Second District of Cavite. Back home, his remarkable performance and good governance made his wife a popular choice to succeed him in his post and in the same elections, Jennifer won as Municipal Mayor by a large margin of votes.
Though new in Congress, his presence proved invaluable in the house committees of which he is a vice chairman namely the Committees on Constitutional Amendments, Local Government, and Revision of Laws and those of which he is a member namely the Committees on Appropriations, Civil Service and Professional Regulation, Good Government, Human Rights, Justice, Population and Family Relations, Public Works and Highways, Science and Technology, Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Transportation, Veteran Affairs and Welfare and the Special Committee on Southern Tagalog Development. He figured prominently on issues concerning Meralco, Sulpicio Lines, the Impeachment Complaint, and Alabang Boys. He has authored and sponsored the following bills: HB 05087-An act converting the Municipality of Dasmariñas in the province of Cavite into a component city to be known as the city of Dasmarinas, HB05258-Urgent resolution requesting the Committee on Energy to conduct an investigation on why oil companies of crude oil prices are not providing the equitable rollback despite of the price of oil in the world market, HR00896-Urgent resolution requesting for an investigation on the report regarding the alleged anomaly in the grant of shortlist of bidders for the project of updating the Subic Bay Freeports’ master development plan, and HR00897-Urgent resolution requesting for an investigation on the report regarding the impeding destruction of more than three hundred trees to give way for the construction of a casino report in Subic Bay Freeport.
In 2009, he among with fellow representatives of Cavite -- Joseph Emilio Abaya and Jesus Crispin Remulla -- authored the biggest congressional reapportionment in the history of the Philippines by passing Republic Act No. 9727, unofficially titled The Cavite Congressional Reapportionment Act of 2009, bringing the representatives of Cavite from three to seven.
Also, he passed Republic Act No. 9723, establishing the City Charter of Dasmariñas, citing of being the most populated municipality in the Philippines.
Representative Barzaga proved that he continues to serve the best interest of the people and not just a few. His passion to seek truth and justice remains evident in all his undertakings and how he views relevant issues confronting the public. His advocacy to see the common good prevail is proof that his heart is really for the people and that true public service knows no color. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Far Eastern University on the celebration of its 80th Founding Anniversary and the Most Distinguished Bedan Award from the San Beda College. He was awarded as one of the Most Outstanding Congressman of 2008 by the Congress Magazine.
Barzaga freed himself from the shackles of mundane life to dedicate his strength and knowledge to the pursuit of the best that could be had of this lifetime so that he could witness others live better lives and enable those without hope believe in a better future.
His marriage to Jennifer Austria Barzaga, a registered nurse, blessed him with three sons – Francisco, Elpidio III, and Lorenzo.
| House of Representatives of the Philippines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Newly Created |
Member of the House of Representatives from the Lone District of Dasmariñas City 2010–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Gilbert Remulla |
Member of the House of Representatives from the 2nd District of Cavite 2007-2010 |
Succeeded by district defunct starting 15th Congress (next title held to Lani Mercado-Revilla) |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Recto Cantimbuhan |
Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite 1998-2007 |
Succeeded by Jennifer A. Barzaga |