{{Short description|Filipino lawyer and politician (born 1972)}} {{for|his father|Edcel Lagman}} {{Philippine name|Burce|Lagman}} {{Use Philippine English|date=May 2023}} {{use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Edcel Greco Lagman | image = EdcelGrecoLagman.jpg | image_size = | caption = Lagman in 2022 | order = 28th | office = Governor of Albay | vice_governor = Glenda Bongao | predecessor = Noel Rosal | successor = Glenda Bongao{{efn|Acted from October 18, 2024 to April 25, 2025.}} | office2 = Member of the House of Representatives from Albay's 1st district | predecessor2 = Edcel Lagman | successor2 = Edcel Lagman | office3 = Member of the Quezon City Council from the 4th district | term_start3 = June 30, 2004 | term_end3 = March 31, 2012 | birth_name = Edcel Greco Alexandre Burce Lagman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|07|24}} | birth_place = Caloocan, Rizal, Philippines<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2025NLE/COC_2025NLE/COC_Local/COC_Local_R5/ALBAY/OPES_ALBAY/GOV_LAGMAN_EDCEL_GRECO_ALEXANDRE_B.pdf | title=Certificate of Candidacy for Provincial Governor - Edcel Greco Alexandre Lagman | website=comelec.gov.ph}}</ref> | party = PFP (2023–present) | spouse = {{marriage|Ivy Xenia P. Lim|1996|2022|end=annulled}}<br>{{marriage|Ana Lea B. Celestino|2023}} | children = 7 | education = Benedictine Abbey School (secondary) | alma_mater = University of the Philippines Manila (BA)<br />University of the Philippines Diliman (MPA)<br />San Beda University<br> Arellano University (LL.B) | occupation = Politician | profession = Lawyer | office1 = 15th Vice Governor of Albay | term_start = December 1, 2022{{efn|Suspended from October 18, 2024 until his termination on April 25, 2025.}} | term_end = April 25, 2025 | term_start1 = June 30, 2019 | governor1 = Al Francis Bichara (2019–2022)<br>Noel Rosal (2022) | term_end1 = November 30, 2022 | predecessor1 = Harold Imperial | successor1 = Glenda Ong Bongao | term_start2 = June 30, 2013 | term_end2 = June 30, 2016 | other_party = Aksyon (2021–2023)<br>PDP–Laban (2018–2021)<br>Liberal (2009–2018)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/27834-albay-dynasties-salceda/ |title=Salceda and the dynasties of Albay|first=Barcia|last=Rhadyz|date=May 1, 2013|access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref><br>Lakas (2004–2009) | father = Edcel Castelar Lagman | mother = Maria Cielo Almojuela Burce | relatives = Filemon Lagman (uncle)<br>Krisel Lagman (sister) }}
'''Edcel Greco Alexandre "Grex" Burce Lagman'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2022NLE/TentativeListsofCandidates/R5/ALBAY/PROVINCIAL.pdf|title=Certified List of Candidates (Provincial) Region V - Albay|website=Commission on Elections|accessdate=February 15, 2023|date=10 January 2022}}</ref> (born July 24, 1972<ref name="QC-resolution">{{cite web |title=Resolution No. SP-9170, S-2023 |url=http://libros.quezoncitypubliclibrary.org:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/45670/1/SP-9170%2CS%20-2023.pdf |publisher=22nd Quezon City Council |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008060652/http://libros.quezoncitypubliclibrary.org:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/45670/1/SP-9170%2CS%20-2023.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2024 |date=13 February 2023}}</ref>), is a Filipino lawyer and politician from the province of Albay.
On December 1, 2022, he became Governor of Albay following the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) disqualification of former Governor Noel Rosal. Lagman previously served as Vice-Governor of Albay starting in 2019.
He was also elected in the House of Representatives of the Philippines as Congressman of the First District of Albay in 2013 and was elected as the Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives of the Philippines' 16th Congress from 2013 to 2016. Prior to this, Lagman served as a councilor of Quezon City representing its Fourth District from 2004 to 2013.
== Personal life == Lagman is the third child{{failed verification|reason=Order not mentioned in given citation|date=October 2024}} of human rights lawyer and politician Edcel Lagman<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Neophyte bet tops QC district derby |url=https://www.philstar.com/metro/2004/05/23/251068/neophyte-bet-tops-qc-district-derby |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> and teacher Maria Cielo Burce.<ref name="QC-resolution"/> He has six siblings including the incumbent Tabaco Mayor and former Congresswoman Krisel Lagman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-03-02 |title=Edcel Lagman's Private Hell |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/92119/edcel-lagmans-private-hell/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Lifestyle.INQ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaucian |first1=Michael B. |title=Tabaco Mayor Lagman to help solo parents, push for divorce law if elected as rep |url=https://www.inquirer.net/415939/tabaco-mayor-lagman-to-help-solo-parents-push-for-divorce-law-if-elected-as-rep/ |access-date=8 October 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=6 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
Lagman has four sons and a daughter with his first wife Ivy Xenia P. Lim and two daughters with his present wife, Ana Lea B. Celestino-Lagman.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
Lagman is part of a political family. His great grandfather, Felipe Almojuela, was the Lieutenant-Governor of Catanduanes when it was still a sub-province of Albay.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lagman |first1=Grex |title=Lagman visits Catanduanes |url=https://bicol.politiko.com.ph/2023/10/16/lagman-visits-catanduanes/headlines/ |website=bicol.politiko.com.ph |date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=30 September 2024}}</ref>
== Education == Lagman completed his primary and secondary education at San Beda College Alabang. He was a consistent honor student in grade school and high school.
In 1993, Lagman graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Behavioral Science from the University of the Philippines Manila. From 1990 to 1992, he was a college scholar.
He took his Bachelor of Laws at San Beda College of Law from 1993 to 1996 and from 1997 to 1999 at Arellano University School of Law (AUSL)<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Corporate Profile - Vice Governor |url=https://spalbay.com/gov.php |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=spalbay.com |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527232434/http://spalbay.com/gov.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> where he was a Dean's Lister and a member of the maiden batch of the Order of the Flaming Arrows Honor Society. He graduated tenth (10th) in a class of 114 graduates. Lagman became a member of the Philippine Bar when he passed the 2000 Philippine Bar Examinations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AUSL Bar Passers |url=https://arellanolaw.edu/auslpassers.html |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Arellano University School of Law}}</ref> He also took up Master in Public Administration at the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines Diliman where he was a consistent university scholar.<ref name=":3" />
== Legal and teaching career == In 1994, Lagman worked as Assistant Press Officer at the Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C. In 2000, he worked as an associate at Lagman and Associates Law Offices founded by his father Congressman Edcel Lagman and uncle Filemon Lagman and devoted to providing pro bono legal services for workers and labor unions. In 2002, he was appointed as Court Attorney IV at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.<ref name=":3" />
== Political career == === City Councilor for the 4th district of Quezon City (2004–2012) === Before joining the national legislature, Lagman served as City Councilor of Quezon City from the 4th district from 2004 to 2012.<ref name=":7" />
=== Representative of the 1st district of Albay (2013–2016) === [[File:Rep. Edcel Greco Lagman (16th Congress).jpg|thumb|left|Portrait of Lagman during his term as Albay representative in the 16th Congress]] In 2013, he was elected as Albay first district representative. As member of the House of Representatives, Lagman principally authored Republic Act No. 10868,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagman's son to continue father's fight for centenarians' benefits |url=http://ph.news.yahoo.com/lagmans-son-continue-fathers-fight-centenarians-benefits-123814883.html |access-date=2022-12-14 |date=30 May 2013|website=Yahoo! Philippines|publisher=GMA News |language=en-PH|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928023131/http://ph.news.yahoo.com/lagmans-son-continue-fathers-fight-centenarians-benefits-123814883.html|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> or the Centenarians Act of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-27 |title=Aquino changes mind, signs Centenarian bill into law |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/137800-aquino-signs-centenarians-bill-lagman/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}</ref> Lagman is also a principal sponsor of several important legislations such as R.A. No. 10643, or the Graphic Health Warnings Law,<ref>{{Citation |title=Sixteenth Congress First Regular Session |url=https://hrep-website.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/legisdocs/first_16/CR00303.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214042104/https://hrep-website.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/legisdocs/first_16/CR00303.pdf|archive-date=14 December 2022|page=2 |year=2014 |access-date=2022-12-14}}</ref> R.A. No. 10645, or the Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for Senior Citizens.,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Republic Act No. 10645 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/11/05/republic-act-no-10645/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines |date=November 5, 2014 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210023248/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/11/05/republic-act-no-10645/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-01 |title=Senior citizens are automatic members of PhilHealth -- Gierran |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/01/senior-citizens-are-automatic-members-of-philhealth-gierran/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Paolo |title=House OKs PhilHealth coverage for seniors |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/06/07/1331965/house-oks-philhealth-coverage-seniors |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> R.A. No. 10679, or the Youth Entrepreneurship Act, and R.A. No. 10648, or the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014.
=== Vice-Governor of Albay (2019–2022) === Lagman ran for Vice-Governor of Albay in 2019 and won. He was reelected as Vice-Governor in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Albay VG Lagman wins reelection |url=https://bicol.politics.com.ph/2022/05/10/albay-vg-lagman-wins-reelection/ |access-date=20 February 2023 |publisher=Politiko Bicol}}</ref>
=== Governor of Albay (2022–2025) === Five months into his second term as Vice-Governor, Lagman assumed the governorship by operation of law on December 1, 2022. This was due to a permanent vacancy in the position of Governor when his immediate predecessor Noel Rosal was disqualified with finality by the COMELEC en banc for violating the election law imposing a 45-day campaign spending ban.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaucian |first1=Michael |title=Lagman is new Albay governor as Comelec affirms Rosal DQ |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1700328/lagman-is-new-albay-governor-as-comelec-affirms-rosal-dq |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref>
Lagman in July 2023, became a member of incumbent President Bongbong Marcos' political party, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.<ref>{{cite news |title=Albay governor, others take oath as new members of Marcos party |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/07/25/23/albay-governor-others-take-oath-as-new-members-of-marcos-party |access-date=8 October 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=25 July 2023}}</ref>
In October 2024, Lagman filed his candidacy to run for governor in his own right in the 2025 Philippine general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Balonzo |first1=Reinnard |title=Albay Governor Grex Lagman launches first election bid for province's top post |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/albay-governor-grex-lagman-first-election-bid-province-top-post/ |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=October 3, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> However, he later announced his withdrawal from the race on December 5, 2024, and declared support for Noel Rosal's comeback attempt as governor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/12/05/regions/lagman-withdraws-supportsrosals-candidacy-inalbay/2016612|title=Lagman withdraws, supports Rosal's candidacy in Albay|first=Rhaydz|last=Barcia|date=December 5, 2024|accessdate=December 5, 2024|work=The Manila Times}}</ref> However, Rosal was later disqualified from the 2025 gubernatorial race, given his perpetual disqualification from running for public office.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/comelec-disqualifies-noel-rosal-2025-albay-gubernatorial-race/|title=Comelec disqualifies Noel Rosal from Albay gubernatorial race in 2025|website=Rappler.com|date=December 27, 1996|accessdate=December 28, 2024}}</ref>
=== Dismissal === In February 2024, Alwin Nimo, a former chairman of Barangay Anislag, Daraga, alleged that Lagman had received bribes from illegal gambling (jueteng) bosses in the province when he was vice governor and filed a complaint against the latter for graft and corruption at the Office of the Ombudsman. Lagman denied the accusations, calling it "driven by political motives."<ref>{{cite web |title=Self-confessed jueteng bagman accuses Albay governor of receiving P8M in bribes |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luzon/jueteng-bagman-accuses-albay-governor-grex-lagman-receiving-bribes/ |website=Rappler |date=February 13, 2024 |access-date=February 14, 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, the Ombudsman imposed a preventive suspension on Lagman as part of its investigation into the charges.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gasgonia |first=Dennis |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/10/18/albay-governor-confirms-preventive-suspension-order-from-ombudsman-1923 |title=Albay governor confirms preventive suspension order from Ombudsman |work=ABS-CBN |date=October 18, 2024 |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref> On April 10, 2025, the Ombudsman ordered Lagman's dismissal for grave misconduct.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 29, 2025 |title=Ombudsman dismisses Albay Gov. Grex Lagman over jueteng links |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/29/ombudsman-dismisses-albay-gov-grex-lagman-over-jueteng-links-1514 |access-date=April 29, 2025 |publisher=ABS-CBN |language=en}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Governor of Albay * House of Representatives
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Current Philippine Governors}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lagman, Edcel}} Category:Governors of Albay Category:20th-century Filipino lawyers Category:Living people Category:1972 births Edcel Greco Category:Bicolano politicians Category:Politicians from Albay Category:University of the Philippines Manila alumni Category:San Beda University alumni Category:Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians Category:Partido Demokratiko Pilipino politicians Category:Aksyon Demokratiko politicians Category:Partido Federal ng Pilipinas politicians Category:Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Albay Category:Quezon City Council members Category:Arellano University alumni Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni Category:Provincial vice governors of the Philippines