ILOILO — Former governor and three-term 3rd District congressman Licurgo “Curging” Tirador has passed away at the age of 94, marking the end of a public service career that spanned decades and pivotal moments in Philippine history.
Tirador died peacefully on February 18, 2026, surrounded by family, according to an official statement confirmed by his nephew, Pototan’s Sangguniang Bayan member Paolo Tirador.
“It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Hon. Licurgo P. Tirador — lawyer, public servant, and former appointed Governor of Iloilo, three-term Congressional Representative of Iloilo’s 3rd District, three-term Board Member, Municipal Mayor, and Sangguniang Bayan Member of Pototan, Iloilo,” part of the family’s official announcement stated.
The Tirador family described “Manong” Licurgo as a leader who devoted decades of his life to public service, recalling his long record in both local and national governance.
During the critical post-martial law transition period, Tirador was appointed governor of Iloilo from 1986 to 1987, helping ensure stability and continuity in provincial governance amid sweeping political changes nationwide.
He later represented Iloilo’s 3rd District in the 8th, 9th, and 10th Congresses from 1987 to 1998, where he championed legislation aimed at strengthening public education, improving local infrastructure, and advancing the welfare of his constituents.
Earlier in his political career, Tirador was also a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, contributing to national deliberations that helped shape the country’s constitutional framework.
“Throughout his years in public office — whether at the provincial, national, or local level — he carried himself with discipline, integrity, and steady commitment. More than his public achievements, we remember him as a man of principle, faith, and good humor. To his family, he was our patriarch whose presence lent us strength and pride. To his colleagues and constituents, he was a public servant who listened and worked diligently to translate their concerns into action. He leaves behind a legacy that will last beyond his lifetime in the numerous scholars, beneficiaries, and friends whose lives he has generously touched,” the family added.
The Iloilo provincial government also mourned his passing.
Born on May 30, 1931, in Pototan, Iloilo, Tirador held various significant positions in public and financial institutions before and during his political career.
He served as board director of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines from 1957 to 1959 and later as consultant to Monetary Board Member Mariano Peñaflorida at the Central Bank of the Philippines from 1960 to 1962.
“Tirador left a lasting legacy in Philippine politics and public service, marked by dedication, integrity, and steadfast leadership in serving his community and the nation. Our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences go out to his bereaved family,” the provincial government said in its statement./PN
