House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III led the House of Representatives in honoring the life and contributions of former Quirino Representative and Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua, celebrating him as a dedicated public servant who spent his career fighting for his home province.
Delivering a eulogy during necrological services at the House of Representatives, Speaker Dy underscored that a meaningful life is measured by the impact left on others rather than the years lived.
“Hindi nasusukat ang buhay sa haba ng panahon na ibinigay sa atin. Nasusukat ito sa kabutihang naiiwan natin sa panahong ipinahiram sa atin,” Dy said.
Dy noted Cua’s selfless devotion to his constituents, recalling how Cua consistently prioritized the welfare of Quirino throughout his tenure across multiple local and national posts.
“Sa tuwing nagkakausap kami, ang mga ipinaglalaban niya ay hindi para sa kanyang sarili. Laging para sa Quirino. Laging para sa kanyang mga kababayan,” the Speaker stated, reflecting on Cua’s political career as vice governor, governor, and lone district representative before returning to lead the provincial capitol until his final days.
“Malaki ang bahagi ng buhay ni Dax na inialay niya sa mga taga-Quirino. Naging bise gobernador siya, gobernador, at kinatawan ng nag-iisang distrito ng Quirino sa Kongreso. Muli siyang nagbalik sa pagiging gobernador at patuloy na naglingkod sa kanyang lalawigan hanggang sa mga huling araw ng kanyang buhay,” Dy added.
Beyond official titles, Dy stressed that Cua’s character was best shown in his constant attention to ordinary citizens. “Ngunit kung tatanungin ninyo ako kung ano ang tunay na nagpakilala kay Dax bilang isang lider, hindi ko uunahin ang mga posisyong kanyang hinawakan,” Dy said. “Uunahin ko ang mga taong hindi niya kailanman nakalimutan.”
Dy shared a personal memory highlighting Cua’s vision, pointing to Cua’s request for assistance to complete a local sports complex. While others saw a standard infrastructure project, Cua viewed it as a investment in the youth.
“Perhaps to some, it is simply another government project. But to Dax, it represented something more. It meant opportunities for young people. A place where athletes could dream. A facility that the people of Quirino could call their own,” Dy said, vowing to fulfill Cua’s vision: “Kaya, Dax, saan ka man naroroon ngayon, gusto kong malaman mo na narinig ko ang iyong hiling. At hindi natin hahayaang matapos ang iyong paglilingkod kasabay ng iyong pagpanaw. The work must continue. The dreams must continue. And the things you wanted for your people must continue.”
Reflecting on their joint efforts during a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) session on local governance, Dy remarked on Cua’s fundamental philosophy that policy must translate into tangible benefits for the public.
“Dax believed deeply in local governance. Nauunawaan niya ang isang bagay na kailangang laging tandaan ng bawat lingkod-bayan: ‘Nagiging makabuluhan lamang ang pamahalaan kapag nararamdaman ito ng mga tao sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na buhay,’” Dy recalled. “Hindi sapat na may batas. Hindi sapat na may budget. Hindi sapat na may programa. Ang tunay na tanong ay: ‘Nararamdaman ba ito ng ating mga kababayan?’”
Dy said Cua earned widespread respect not merely because of his office, but because he led with genuine humility and always listened to the people he served.