Ex-DOJ chief Gonzalez, 83

MANILA, Philippines - Former justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. died last Sunday from multiple organ failure. He was 83.

In a statement released yesterday, the Gonzalez family said the former Iloilo lawmaker died at around 10:30 p.m. at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City.

“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,” read the statement.

“He was a responsible husband and father, an indulgent grandfather, a loyal friend, and a courageous public servant. Please remember him in your prayers.” 

Gonzalez had been suffering from kidney problems, but in September 2007, he received a successful kidney transplant from his driver, Felicito Gunay.

On Friday, rumors circulated that Gonzalez had passed away.

His family quickly denied this, but his wife, Pacita  admitted that he was not in stable condition.

She then asked for prayers from fellow Ilonggos.

The family has yet to announce details of the wake and interment.

Gonzalez started government service in 1960 as legal assistant to the governor of Iloilo before being named senior legal assistant to the mayor of Manila the following year.

He was also executive member of the board of censors for motion pictures from 1963 to 1969, and senior committee counsel to the committee on labor and immigration in the Senate.

During martial law, he filed several petitions before the Supreme Court (SC) against the Marcos administration.

From 1986 to 1988, Gonzalez served as Tanodbayan (now Ombudsman).

He entered politics in 1995 after being elected representative of the lone district of Iloilo City in Congress. – Jennifer Rendon, Edu Punay, Paolo Romero