Former DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez dies, 83

A separate report on “News To Go” said Gonzalez died surrounded by his wife, Pacita, their three sons, and two daughters.

The family's statement on his death did not reveal his illness, it said, adding that his remains have been brought to Heritage Park in Taguig City.

According to a 2009 special report on GMA News Online, Gonzalez underwent a kidney transplant in 2007, with their family driver, Felicito Gunay, as his donor.

The dzBB report said Gonzalez served as Iloilo congressman from 1995 to 2004, and was part of the prosecution during the impeachment trial of former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. He then served as Justice secretary for former President and now-Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

A staunch defender of Arroyo during his five years in the Department of Justice, Gonzalez was tagged as "Malacañang attack dog" for his boorish verbal abuse on critics of the former president.

But people who have worked with and for him described Gonzalez as a soft-spoken and thoughtful boss, the GMA News Online special report said.

“I don’t regret issuing statements whether they are controversial or not, as long as I believe in it, and as long as it fits my principles. I’m not afraid of controversies – it’s what I am, I speak my mind," Gonzalez told GMA News Online when asked if he ever felt sorry for the remarks he had made. —Joel Locsin and Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/KG/KBK, GMA News