Eulogy

It is sad that in a Eulogy one extols the virtues of a dead man who cannot hear and relish the accolades being heaped upon him. But it has to be done to honor the greatness of the deceased and to reminisce a good friendship.

Jose Roilo S. “Roy” Golez is an outstanding public servant. As Post Master General appointed by Pres. Marcos he initiated reforms which made the delivery of mails faster than the previous slow delivery which is again our lot at present. His performance was well-received by the whole country. And he began to be recognized by the public and business.

As National Security Adviser appointed by Pres. Arroyo he performed his job seriously and in the process acquired knowledge which enabled him to watch and monitor the nation’s security vis-avis its neighbors and the world at large up to the present. Thus, he was able to warn the country of the continuous creeping Chinese presence in the South China Sea and the danger of its militarization. He became an authority on the geo-politics of South China Sea and its security implications to the Philippines and to foreign countries threatened by the growing Chinese militarization of the artificial islands in the area. In those government positions he never enriched himself nor even attempted to. To him “a public office is a public trust”.

He was an outstanding member of the House of Representatives for many terms. He was always involved in the discussion of the burning issues of the day. He would forget/sacrifice party loyalty for what is good for the country. He was also a constructive fisalizer. He utilized his pork barrel for what it was intended for – projects which would benefit his constituents. He is a genuine Patriot fighting for the national interest of the country in the territorial waters in the South China Sea and Benham Rise which have tremendous economic value with foes and allies alike and in the international community of nations.

I came to know Roy Golez as a person in the Rotary Club of Manila when we would discuss the South China Sea dispute and Benham Rise and interact during fellowship meetings. And I found him humble and sincere. At the time of his death he had accepted my invitation on behalf of the Philippine Bar Association to speak together with Atty. Batongbakal of the UP Maritime Institute on recent developments in the South China Sea and Benham Rise before the legal community this coming July. But it has been aborted by his death.

These are the great legacies Roy Golez will leave behind to the nation, his family, and Rotary Club of Manila now in grief for his untimely demise – but definitely they will ease the pain and sorrow that his departure brings.

Mrs. Golez, please accept my and my family’s deepest condolences and take care.