NOTES ON J. ROILO GOLEZ

By Philip M. Lustre Jr.

(Exactly two years ago, J. Roilo Golez, ex-Navy man, public servant, lawmaker, and advocate of independent foreign policy, died of heart attack. It was a big loss for many advocates because J. Roilo Golez took an advocacy close to our heart. Let's pause for a while and remember him.)

PLEASE allow me to drop a few notes about J. Roilo Golez, the indefatigable patriot, who took a stand on the controversy involving West Philippine Sea.

I met Roy, when I was a reporter trainee for a defunct business newspaper way back in 1978. At that time, I was covering the waterfront, of which the coverage of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) was my assignment. Roy was the newly appointed MARINA deputy administrator next to Col. Generoso Tanseco, the administrator.

Roy was then 29 or 30 years old. He was handsome, charismatic, and had an imposing physique. Incidentally, his name was a contraction of Romblon and Iloilo, the provinces of his parents. His first name is Jose. His maternal surname is Solis. He came from the idyllic town of Looc, which is adjacent to Odiongan, the capital town of Romblon.

Roy was my regular source of news. He briefed me about the goings-on in the maritime sector. The waterfront was a totally new endeavor for me but with Roy’s support, I came to understand its importance to an archipelagic country like ours. We have become friends that lasted until today.

Suddenly, Ferdinand Marcos named him postmaster general to put life to the ailing Post Office. As its head, Roy hastened the delivery of mails by launching “Project Mercury.” Because of his outstanding performance at that particular office, Roy was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM) awardees.

I did not see Roy for a while, but I followed closely his career. Although we did not meet often, Roy always considered me a friend. In fact, I was one of the media guys, who had gained his friendship when were both upstarts. Whenever we met, he introduced me by describing me to other people as one of the first media guys he had befriended.

There were bumps in his political career. When he first ran for representative of Paranaque in the Batasang Pambansa in 1984, he faced the fiery opposition leader Jaime Ferrer. I always remember Roy for being a gentleman. When he lost to Jimmy Ferrer, Roy immediately conceded and congratulated his opponent. There was no animosity. Jimmy Ferrer praised him for being a gentleman.

Roy Golez was one of the key personalities, who joined the breakaway group of Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel Ramos. I remember him reporting to Enrile and Ramos three hours after the two announced their breakaway from the Marcos government on Feb. 22, 1986. I saw him standing with Enrile, Ramos, and other military officials at Camp Aguinaldo.

Roy was instrumental in convincing many military officials to change their loyalty. Although the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution ended in the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Roy did not get a position in the Cory government. But he ran for senator and lost in the 1987 elections.

In one of the episodes of the successful “Tell the People” TV program, Julie Yap Daza could not help but comment that Roy was a very good public servant, who was always on the wrong side of history. During those days, I would see Roy in various coffee shops and conversed with him.

I came to know that Roy was an amateur boxing champion, when he was a cadet at Annapolis Naval Academy. Yes, he was a product of Annapolis and he was undefeated as a boxing champion during his stint there.

I was asked why he did not fight for the Philippine flag in the 1972 Olympics. Roy said he was not contacted by our sports officials. Besides, he said he did not go to Annapolis to be a boxer. He wanted to be soldier. He joined the Philippine Navy when he returned home. But Col. Tanseco snatched him from the Navy to become his deputy at Marina.

Roy was elected representative of Paranaque for three consecutive terms (1992, 1995, and 1998). Roy was among the lawmakers, who threw support for the move to oust Joseph Estrada in the 2001 EDSA Dos.

After Erap’s ouster, he was named the national security adviser. He regained his old seat in Congress when he was elected in 2004 and reelected in 2007 and 2010.

Roy was quite active in his advocacy. We conversed through private messaging. He was relentless and persevering in his advocacy particularly on the controversy on the West Philippine Sea. He was tireless.

It was a pity he died instantly. Roy had many things to contribute. The Philippines definitely lost a patriot. J. Roilo Golez deserves the gratitude of a nation, whom he served with dignity, dedication, and valor.