DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite – Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla offered his condolences to the bereaved family of Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., whose remains arrived in the country on Saturday, May 11, from San Francisco, California, USA.

The coffin, draped in Philippine flag, arrived at 4:17 a.m. at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was brought here in Dasmariñas Arena.

Remulla joined the late lawmaker's wife, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga, in grief as they paid their respect to "Cong Pidi," who died in bed in California on April 27.

He was 74 years old.

The Philippine flags at the Provincial Capitol and Dasmariñas City Hall were placed at half-mast in honor of a great leader and lawmaker.

Barzaga is survived by his wife Jennifer and sons Francisco, Elpidio III and Enzo.

Barzaga was born on March 25, 1950 and received his bachelor of laws degree from Far Eastern University.

He became mayor of Dasmariñas from 1986 to 1987; 1998 to 2007; and 2016 to 2019. He also served as representative for the second district of Cavite from 2007 to 2010 and the fourth district of Cavite from 2010 to 2016, and from 2019 until the time of his death.

"His dedication to education, health care, and poverty alleviation transformed lives and shaped the future of his constituents. He will be remembered for his compassion and relentless pursuit of justice," a statement from the Barzaga family said.

The lawyer-lawmaker is the longtime president of the National Unity Party. He stepped down from his post shortly after the May 2022 national elections.

In late October 2023, Barzaga flew to the United States to undergo heart surgery.