BY PRINCE GOLEZ, Manila Reporter, GLENDA SOLOGASTOA, FREDA MAE SORSANO
MANILA – Former Iloilo City congressman and Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. died on Sunday at 10:45 p.m.
The cause of death was multiple organ failure, his family said in a statement yesterday.
“He died peacefully, surrounded by his wife, Dr. Pacita Trinidad Gonzalez, and their three sons and two daughters, after they prayed the Holy Rosary, his favorite prayer, and recited prayers for the commendation of the dying,” part of the family statement read.
Gonzalez served as congressman from 1995 to 2004. He died at the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) where, seven years ago, he underwent a kidney transplant.
His family described him as a “responsible husband and father, an indulgent grandfather, a loyal friend, and a courageous public servant.”
The wake at Chapel 6 of The Heritage memorial park in Taguig City started yesterday.
On Wednesday, Gonzalez’s remains will be brought to his residence in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.
These will be flown back to Metro Manila on Sept. 11, according to the family statement.
Interment will be at The Heritage memorial park on Sunday morning (Sept. 14), the family said.
In the 1970s, Gonzalez lawyered for then Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. during the latter’s arrest and trial before a Marcos military commission.
Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said Gonzalez’s passing was “a sad day for all Ilonggos” who believe in his many accomplishments, foremost of which was fighting the Marcos dictatorship.
“His helping Ninoy proved his resolve to fight the dictatorship and regain the country’s freedom. Ilonggos will remember his industry and courage as a public servant,” said Defensor.
During the presidency of Corazon Aquino after the 1986 People Power Revolution, Gonzalez served as Tanodbayan or Ombudsman.
From 2001 to 2010, Gonzalez served as Justice secretary of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog also expressed his sympathies to the Gonzalez family.
In the 2010 election, Mabilog ran against Gonzalez for mayor.
Two years later, their paths crossed at a hospital where a city policeman was confined following a grenade blast.
“I greeted him and extended my hand. He responded by extending his hand and shook my hand,” Mabilog posted in his Facebook page.
The mayor said that gesture showed Gonzalez’s maturity as a person and as a statesman.
Mabilog said he admired Gonzalez for the latter’s loyalty to friends and followers.
Other government officials also issued statements of sympathy upon learning of Gonzalez’s death.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the late Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. who dedicated his life in the service of our nation and people,” said Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communication Operations Office.
Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon said, “I express my deepest condolences to Mrs. Pacita Gonzalez, Raul Gonzalez Jr. and the rest of the Gonzalez family. May his soul rest in peace.”
For his part, Rep. Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City asked the public for prayers for the eternal repose of Gonzalez’s soul.
Meanwhile, businessman Rommel Ynion remembered the late congressman as “the only Ilonggo leader who epitomized decency at a time when politics became synonymous with decadence, decay (and) despair.”
Ynion said he learned a lot from working with Gonzalez.
“I was fortunate enough to be close to him at the twilight of his political career. From his thoughts, I gained faith. From his words, I gained wisdom. From his actions, I gained courage,” he said in his Facebook account.
In 2013, Ynion ran for Iloilo City mayor with Gonzalez’s son, Raul Gonzalez Jr. for congressman./PN
