Bonifacio H. Gillego | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Gillego official portrait during the8th Congress. | |
| Member ofHouse of Representatives of the Philippines fromSorsogon's 2nd congressional district | |
| In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Rodolfo F. Gonzales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bonifacio Hubilla Gillego (1921-06-05)June 5, 1921 |
| Died | August 1, 2002(2002-08-01) (aged 81) |
| Political party | Lakas (1992–2002) |
| Other political affiliations | LDP (1988–1992) LnB (1987–1988) |
| Spouse | Dolores Perez Gillego |
| Children | 7 |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern University Johns Hopkins University |
| Profession |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Philippines |
| Rank |  Colonel Major |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Bonifacio Hubilla Gillego (June 5, 1921 – August 1, 2002) was a Philippine politician, military officer, and author. He served in thePhilippine House of Representatives for three terms (1987–1998), representing the 2ndLegislative District of Sorsogon.[1] "Boni" was one of the Framers of the1987 Constitution.[2] He had also served as a delegate to theConstitutional Convention in 1970.[3]
For his resistance against the Marcos dictatorship, which led to a 14-year exile from the country, Gillego is one of the heroes honored by having his name etched at the wall of remembrance at the Philippines' Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which honors the martyrs and heroes who fought the authoritarian regime of Ferdinand Marcos.[4]
Gillego earned his degrees in English and Philosophy at theFar Eastern University in Manila in 1950. He earned a master's degree from the Johns Hopkins UniversitySchool of Advanced International Studies as an Armed Forces of the Philippines Scholar.[5] His eldest sister,Celerina Gotladera, served as the Chairman of Civil Service Commission and Mayor ofBulan, Sorsogon.[6] He is a cousin ofGregorio Honasan.
He was also part of the resistance during theJapanese occupation of the Philippines. As a soldier, Gillego served in theKorean War and served in Operation Brotherhood in Laos.[4]
Gillego was exiled in the United States for 14 years duringmartial law. He was one of the leaders of the opposition to Marcos in the United States[7] and was a member of theMovement for a Free Philippines (MFP) during his exile.[5] Gillego was often interviewed by American and western media to expose Marcos' fraud, particularly with his military medal decorations.[8] Through his writings and countless interviews with the American press, Gillego publicly questioned Marcos' war record.[9] In 1986, he served on the Commission on Good Government[10] on behalf of PresidentCorazon Aquino to find real estate holdings of the Marcoses in New York.[11][12]
As a Congressman, "Boni" was known for his spartan lifestyle and stance against government corruption.[13] One of his key accomplishments in Congress was agrarian reform legislation passed in June 1988.[14]
| House of Representatives of the Philippines | Recreated Title last held by Rafael Aquino | Member of theHouse of Representatives fromSorsogon's2nd district 1987–1998 | Succeeded by Rodolfo Gonzales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
