Didagen Dilangalen Explained

Didagen Dilanganen
Office:Member of the
Philippine House of Representatives from Maguindanao
Term Start:June 30, 2007
Term End:June 30, 2010
Predecessor:Position created
Successor:Position abolished
Term Start2:June 30, 1995
Term End2:June 30, 2004
Predecessor2:Michael Mastura
Successor2:Bai Sendig G. Dilangalen
Constituency2:1st District
Birth Name:Didagen Piang Dilangalen
Birth Date:January 8, 1954
Birth Place:Mindanao, Philippines
Nationality:Filipino
Party:PMP (1995–2021)
Profession:Lawyer
Occupation:Politician

Didagen "Digs" Piang Dilangalen (January 8, 1954 – November 6, 2021) was a Filipino human rights lawyer and politician formerly represented Maguindanao's 1st District.

Legal career

Dilangalen was notable to assist for Sarah Balabagan's case in 1997, which she is almost executed for killing her employer due to employer's attempt to rape her.[1] [2] [3]

Political career

Dilangalen became a congressman representing Maguindanao's 1st District from 1995 to 2004. He ran for senate under FPJ's Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino in 2004 senatorial elections, but lost.[4]

He was notable for protesting the result of the election while canvassing the election results at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. He also threw an outburst, as his request to punish the woman who sent him the note while he was speaking on the floor was denied by other members of the house. The scene was played all over news outlets' programs on national television. In the said scene, he was notable for addressing Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzalez of "Shut up, Mr. Speaker".

He then decided to retire from politics after the loss, and served as then-detained former president Joseph Estrada's spokesperson.[5]

But, he later ran for a spot for newly created Shariff Kabunsuan's at-large district, in 2007. The said district was returned to its former name (Maguindano 1st district) in 2008 due to nullification of creation of Sharif Kabungsuwan.[6] [7]

Personal life

He was portrayed by Menggie Cobarrubias in the 1997 film The Sarah Balabagan Story.

He died on November 6, 2021, at 67 years old.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1995/09/21/another-filipina-is-sentenced-to-death-during-overseas-employment&post_id=47999 Another Filipina is Sentenced to Death during overseas employment
  2. Web site: Red . Isah . September 16, 1996 . Sarah's Choice . May 22, 2022 . Philippine Manila Standard Publishing . 36 . Google News . Manila Standard.
  3. March 28, 1997 . Paras . Wilhelmina . Sarah's Reel Life . Asiaweek.
  4. Web site: Aravilla . Jose . June 26, 2004 . ‘Digs’ finally shuts up, retires from politics . 2024-10-12 . Philstar.com.
  5. Web site: Porcalla . Delon . August 28, 2004 . Digs just won’t shut up, is now Erap’s spokesman . 2024-10-12 . Philstar.com.
  6. Web site: 2021-11-07 . Ex-Maguindanao congressman Didagen Dilangalen dies . 2024-10-12 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2021-11-07 . Ex-Maguindanao Rep. Dilangalen dies . 2024-10-12 . GMA News Online . en.