“EITHER I die or I finish law school and become a lawyer!”, such was the conviction of the then young Dominador “Doming” Alaba Lagare while in law school at University of San Carlos in Cebu City and then at Ateneo De Manila University where he eventually graduated. “My father supported me all the way”, he added. “I became a lawyer in 1973.”
“I handled cases, good or bad. Since I had many friends who had no money, I handled them pro bono.” He added, “I had plenty of clients who were squatters; they had no money but I defended them anyway.”
Recalling his childhood, Atty. Doming or Domslags to close family friends said, “I was a bully when I was a kid.” “I started going to school in Conel (a barangay in General Santos City) but to complete my elementary years, I had to transfer to Lagao Central Elementary School.” For high school, he went to Notre Dame of Dadiangas for Boys (now Notre Dame of Dadiangas University-Integrated Basic Education Department, Lagao Campus) in Dadiangas (now General Santos City).
He proceeded to Cebu City for his college education. “I thought University of San Carlos where I was a member of the Debating Team from college until first year law was the best! But when Ateneo de Manila University Team crushed us like pulp in a competition, I realized that we were not the best after all!” “Right then and there, I decided that I will transfer to Ateneo,” he recounted.
“I knew it was an expensive move but my father supported me. He said, ‘It’s expensive to transfer to Manila’, but justified, ‘since the coconut trees that you have planted have begun to bear fruit, the harvest will support your law education.’ Thus, I was able to finish law school at Ateneo,” he explained.
“While in law school, I made sure to attend actual trials in Courts because I wanted to excel in cross-examination. Whenever I hear that brilliant lawyers like Jovito Salonga, Jose Diokno, and the like, were speaking in either Houses of Congress, I would make sure to attend to pick their brains.” Such was the man’s dogged commitment even before he graduated from law school. Very commendable indeed!
One of the highlights of his professional life was becoming Officer-in-Charge (OIC)/City Mayor of General Santos City. “I was appointed OIC/City Mayor of General Santos City in 1986-1987 right after the EDSA Revolution. I did not assume the post right away. I had to think for three days because I had no experience in running a city.”
“I eventually took on the job and hired someone with experience whom I can rely on.” “However, it didn’t take much time for disillusionment to set in because the change that I had expected with the switch of administration did not happen.” Moreover, since OIC/Mayor Lagare had a mind of his own, “They eventually kicked me out”, he enthused.
“When elections came in 1988, I was prodded to run for Mayor but I declined. I wanted to observe the political scene and be able to contribute significantly, and this, I thought, I could only do if I run for a legislative post. So I ran for Councilor.” Atty. Lagare served for four terms as Councilor of General Santos City.
He’s grateful that with his pro bono cases, his wife was there to support the family. “She did everything. She even gave me money for my cigarettes.”
On March 3, 2020, during the 26th Regular Session of the 19th Sangguniang Panlungsod, the legal luminary and public servant was awarded a Certificate of Citation for his “exceptional valor, gallantry, and valiance as a staunch Human Rights Icon in the City of General Santos.
Commenting on the recognition, “I cannot believe that everybody signed the Citation. Not all of those who signed liked me”, he beamed. I responded, they obviously rose above politics.
He’s very proud of his wife, Emely Quinto Santiago-Lagare who hails from Dolores, Quezon Province, a pediatrician and real estate broker. They have seven kids who are all accomplished in their respective fields: Ma. Cecilia Lagare, teacher; Mary Anne L. Academia, lawyer; Mary Grace L. Bumgardner, physical therapist; Dominador S. Lagare Jr., lawyer and City Councilor; Jennifer L. Hagerty, doctor, nurse practitioner; Dommellette L. Odtohan, medical technologist, real estate broker; and Dominador S. Lagare III, former City Councilor, now Senate staff handling political affairs.
During the interview, I was amused when he said, “You never forget that you are a Boholano”. I said, I am very proud of my heritage.
Towards the end of the interview, he proudly declares that his house (where the interview was held) is the fruit of his legal victories because with both pride and humility he expressed, “There was no money in pro bono cases”.
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is very satisfying to be a lawyer. It is very satisfying to be a politician. But I had no money so I didn’t aspire for a higher post. – Atty. Domslags Lagare
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For comments, you may reach the writer at belca.87@gmail.com./PN
