Senators, officials attend Roilo Golez’s wake

Several government officials on Tuesday paid their final respects to former Parañaque Representative and National Security Adviser Jose Roilo Golez, who passed away a day earlier.

According to Super Radyo dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo, Senators Vicente C. Sotto III and Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan II attended the wake held at the Heritage Park in Taguig City.

LOOK: SP @sotto_tito at Sen @gringo_honasan sa burol n dating Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez. Nasa gitna si Parañaque Vice Mayor Rico Golez. | via @nimfaravelo pic.twitter.com/3cZ8chYI4R

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 12, 2018

Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon and former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also attended the wake.

Aside from the lawmakers, reports said former President Fidel V. Ramos and former Vice President Teofisto Guingona also paid their respects.

The late official's son, Parañaque City Vice Mayor Rico Golez, announced in a Facebook post that his father's remains will be transferred Thursday to the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque for one night of viewing before being brought back to the Heritage Memorial Park on Friday.

The final mass and internment for the former Security Adviser is scheduled for Saturday.

Congressman, patriot, defender

Golez, 71, succumbed to a heart attack on Monday.

He served as representative of the second district of Parañaque City for six terms, from 1992 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2013; deputy administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority from 1978 to 1981; and Postmaster general from 1981 to 1986.

As a congressman, Golez chaired the Committee on National Defense and the Committee on Public Order and Security. He also became head of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments.

From 2001 to 2004, Golez served as National Security Adviser under then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Supreme Court (SC) Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio said he remembers Golez as a "indefatigable defender" of the West Philippine Sea, saying he embraced lawfare as a peaceful means of asserting our sovereign rights in the disputed territory.

His death was also lamented by other officials such as Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetao and Senators Leila de Lima, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who issued individual statements regarding him as a true patriot and a defender of freedom. — BM, GMA News