THE House of Representatives conducted a memorial service for the late Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop on Monday. “We feel this loss deeply, not just because we lost a colleague, but because we lost a friend, a brother, and a man who gave his whole heart to public service,” Speaker Faustino Dy III said. Dy described Acop as a man of strong and clear conviction. “He did not seek attention, but his presence was always felt,” he added. Acop died on Dec. 20 at the age of 78. Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. remembered Acop as a public servant well aware of his duties. “To many, he was a legislator, a former police general, and a public servant with decades of experience under his belt. To us — especially those of us in the Quad Committee — he was a principled partner, a steady presence, and a man who never forgot why we were there.” Former member of the House of Representatives Robert Ace Barbers said Acop “was a pillar of the Quad Com.” Acop was the vice chairman of the committee during the 19th Congress. “Indeed, Cong. Romy Acop is a big loss to the country. His death has deprived us of one qualified, competent, credible, and honorable public servant. His accomplishments speak for themselves and will stand the test of time,” Barbers said. Another former House member, Joseph Stephen Paduano, described Acop’s love for the Philippines as “quiet, steady, and real.” “He was a firm believer in accountability, integrity, and good governance. He believed that public office is, above all, a public trust,” Paduano said. Former lawmaker Dan Fernandez expressed gratitude for his late colleague. “His memory will continue to inspire us to strive for excellence, to be kinder, and to support one another with the same grace he showed every day,” he said.