Raul M. Gonzalez
| Raul Gonzalez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary of Justice | |
| In office 2004–2009 | |
| President | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Merceditas N. Gutierrez |
| Succeeded by | Agnes Devanadera |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Iloilo's Lone District | |
| In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Rafael J. Lopez-Vito |
| Succeeded by | Raul T. Gonzalez, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Raul Maravilla Gonzalez December 3, 1930 La Carlota, Negros Occidental, Philippines[1] |
| Died | September 7, 2014 (aged 83) Quezon City, Philippines[2] |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Lakas-Kampi-CMD |
| Alma mater | University of San Agustin University of Santo Tomas |
| Profession | Politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Raul Maravilla Gonzalez (December 3, 1930 – September 7, 2014) was the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and was the Former Secretary of Justice of the Philippines. He was replaced by Agnes Devanadera in 2009 from the orders of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Early life and education
Gonzalez was born on December 3, 1930 in La Carlota, Negros Occidental. He was the fourth child of Delfin Quimbiong Gonzalez (son of Leon Gonzalez and Felisa Quimbiong), the last mayor of the former town of Jaro in the province of Iloilo; and Maria Estrella Jover Maravilla (daughter of Tranquilino Maravilla and Consuelo Jover), a school teacher who were married on April 3, 1925 in Iloilo City.[3]
Gonzalez completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Colegio de San Agustin (now University of San Agustin) and his Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law in 1955.
Gonzales took the Philippine Bar Examination in 1955 and in the same year, passed with a grade of 99% in Remedial Law and 95% in International Law. He also topped the Judge Advocate General's Office (JAGO) Examinations.[4]
Teaching career
After passing the Bar, Gonzalez became professor of law in the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, the Far Eastern University Institute of Law, and the Philippine College of Commerce (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines). He was also a professorial lecturer at the Philippine Normal University-Manila Graduate School, Assumption College and the College of Holy Spirit. He also lectured in the University of the Philippines Law Center Division of Continuing Legal Education.
Government service and political career
Gonzales served in the Philippine government in various capacities. He started as a Legal Assistant to the Governor of Iloilo in 1960 before serving as Senior Legal Assistant to the Mayor of Manila in 1961. Gonzales was Executive Member of the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures under the Office of the President from 1963 to 1969, Senior Committee Counsel to the Committees on Labor and Immigration in the Philippine Senate, among others.
The courageous Gonzales continued fighting the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos by filing several petitions before the Supreme Court when only a few dared. These cases are now part of constitutional law and are part of the curriculum of every law school in the Philippines.
In 1989, Gonzalez was suspended by the Supreme Court from the practice of law for an indefinite period as a Tanodbayan for ignorance of the law.[5][6] He denied that he asked the Supreme Court to lift his suspension but according to the decision, penned by Justice Campos[7] He was reinstated four years later, in 1993.
Gonzales entered politics in 1995, running for and winning the lone congressional seat of Iloilo City. He was one of the public prosecutors during the impeachment trial of then President Joseph Estrada. He helped expose the corruption of Estrada and bring about the latter's removal.
In the 2004 election, he served as Co-chairman of the 14-man National Canvassing Board of the Philippine Congress. Later, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Gonzalez as Secretary of Justice.
He was hounded by vote-buying controversies after he promised barangay captains from the city of Iloilo to deliver 12-0 senatorial sweep for the administrations party in the midterm elections. The sweep did not occur. He also promised another cash incentives and free trip to Hong Kong if Iloilo City Council oppositionists Perla Zulueta and Lex Tupas were not to make it to the top 12 (which they did not).
On June 4, 2008 Gonzales became the Secretary of Justice. He was appointed by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments' committee.[8][9]
Private life
Gonzalez is married to Dr. Pacita Trinidad, a former Representative of the second district of Zambales, with whom he has four children.
Their eldest son, Raul Gonzalez Jr., is the current Representative of Iloilo City. Another son is the current president of the National Book Development Board, an organization committed to upgrade the publishing industry in the Philippines.
Gonzalez was diagnosed end stage renal disease on September 2007. Later that year, he received a kidney transplant from his driver, Felicito Gunay.[10][11]
Death
Gonzalez died on September 7, 2014, of complications due to multiple organ failure.
References
- ↑ Raul Gonzalez's Marriage Register
- ↑ "Raul Gonzalez, former justice chief, dies". Rappler (Rappler, Inc.). September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
- ↑ Delfin Gonzalez and Estrella Maravilla's Marriage Record
- ↑ Office of the President website profile
- ↑ "Time to resign". INQUIRER.net Blogs. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2007-06-02. Archived from the original on 2007-06-27. Retrieved 2007-11-15.
Gonzalez ... was suspended by the Supreme Court a few months later, in October 1988, essentially for insisting on a legal view already rejected by the court. (He was reinstated about four years later, in early 1993.)
- ↑ "Enrique A. Zaldivar vs. The Honorable Sandiganbayan and Hon. Raul M. Gonzales, etc.; Enrique A. Zaldivar vs. Hon. Raul M. Gonzales, etc.; G. R.Nos. 79690-707, G. R. No. 80578". 1989-02-01. p. 424. Archived from the original on 2007-10-17. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
- ↑ "Enrique A. Zaldivar vs. The Honorable Sandiganbayan and Hon. Raul M. Gonzales, etc., claiming to be and acting as Tanodbayan-Ombudsman under the 1987 Constitution, ect.; G. R. Nos. 79690-707, April 7, 1993". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. ChanRobles Publishing Company. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
In October, 1988, We suspended respondent Raul M. Gonzales from the practice of law for an indefinite period.... purge himself in his own good time of his contempt and misconduct by acknowledging such misconduct, exhibiting appropriate repentance and demonstrating his willingness and capacity to live up to the exacting standards of conduct rightly demanded from every member of the bar and the officer of the courts.
- ↑ gmanews.tv, Gonzalez gets CA nod after four years
- ↑ abs-cbnnews.com, CA confirms Gonzalez, Puno and others
- ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, Gonzalez 'fully awake, conversant' a day after kidney transplant
- ↑ Inquirer.net, Driver gives Gonzalez gift of life
External links
| House of Representatives of the Philippines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rafael J. Lopez-Vito |
Representative, Lone District of Iloilo City 1995-2004 |
Succeeded by Raul T. Gonzalez, Jr. |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez |
Philippine Secretary of Justice September 1, 2004 – September 5, 2007 |
Succeeded by Agnes Devanadera |
| Preceded by Agnes Devanadera |
Philippine Secretary of Justice November 2007 – 2009 |
Succeeded by Agnes Devanadera |