The City Council has recognized a veteran lawyer and former mayor here as a “human rights icon”.

City Council members gave the plaudits to lawyer Dominador Lagare Sr. through a resolution unanimously passed during their regular session on Tuesday in honor of his “exceptional valor, gallantry and valiance” as a staunch human rights lawyer.

City Councilor Lourdes Casabuena, author of the resolution, said Lagare deserves the highest citation and commendation from the city for his contributions to the city’s development, both as a lawyer and former city official.

“As (a) fearless human rights (lawyer), he risked his life, the grandeur of the legal profession, and perfectly abundant life for the cause of the hapless victims of human rights (violations),” Casabuena said.

The 77-year-old Lagare, now wheelchair-bound due to a lingering illness, received a plaque and a copy of the citation in a simple ceremony during the city council session.

He thanked the city council members for recognizing his efforts and contributions to the city.

“This is a big honor. I’m hoping that the city will continue to support our advocacies towards the advancement of human rights,” he said.

Lagare was appointed as acting mayor of the city in March 1986 following the People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos and installed the revolutionary government of former president Corazon Aquino.

He ran and won as city councilor for a total of four terms – first in 1988-1992, then two straight terms in 1995-2001, and again in 2004-2007.

Lagare served as a human rights defender and handled cases of detainees during the martial law years.

Casabuena said Lagare’s accomplishments as a human rights lawyer and public servant is a worthy example for the present and future generations.

She said for Lagare, “fighting for the inviolability of civil and political rights necessary for the preservation of our humane civilization is worth fighting and dying for.”

“(He) is wholly committed to the noble precepts of public service that has earned (the) utmost respect and admiration of this Sanggunian (Council),” she said. (PNA)