Bonifacio Hubilla Gillego (June 5, 1921 – August 1, 2002) was a Philippine politician, military officer, and author. He served in the Philippine House of Representatives for three terms (1987–1998), representing the 2nd Legislative District of Sorsogon.[1] "Boni" was one of the Framers of the 1987 Constitution.[2] He had also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1970.[3]
Bonifacio H. Gillego | |
|---|---|
 Detail of the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani, showing names from the 2002 batch of Bantayog Honorees, including that of Congressman Gillego. | |
| Member of House of Representatives of the Philippines from Sorsogon'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 June 5, 1921 Bulan, Sorsogon, Philippine Islands |
| Died | August 1, 2002 (aged 81) |
| Political party | Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino |
| 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 |
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]
Background
editGillego earned his degrees in English and Philosophy at the Far Eastern University in Manila in 1950. He earned a master's degree from the Johns Hopkins University School 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 of Bulan, Sorsogon.[6] He is a cousin of Gregorio Honasan.
Military career
editHe was also part of the resistance during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. As a soldier, Gillego served in the Korean War and served in Operation Brotherhood in Laos.[4]
Marcos Era: Exile and Resistance
editGillego was exiled in the United States for 14 years during martial law. He was one of the leaders of the opposition to Marcos in the United States[7] and was a member of the Movement 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 President Corazon Aquino to find real estate holdings of the Marcoses in New York.[11][12]
Congress
editAs 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]
Books and articles
edit- Requiem for Reformism: The Ideas of Rizal on Reform and Revolution (1990)[15]
- "The Other Version of FM's War Exploits". We Forum (November 1982)[16]
- "Marcos: The Hero of Kiangan Who Never Was". Philippine News (September 1982)[17]
- "Our Police Forces as a Tool of American Imperialism". Ronin (October 1972)[18]
References
edit- ^ "Bonifacio Gillego (1921–2002): The Major Who Asked Why | Newsbreak | Independent Journalism". Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Politics of convenience, ironies and tragedy: The Bulan town experience". BICOL TODAY. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Franco, Jennifer Conroy (2001). Elections and Democratization in the Philippines. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780815337348.
- ^ a b "Martyrs and Heroes: Gillego, Bonifacio". bantayog.org. May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
- ^ a b "gillego". mekongcircle.homestead.com. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ junasun (July 7, 2009). "Part I: The Mayor Behind The Mayor". Bulan Observer. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Peña, Fernando (September 26, 2015). "Why raps filed vs anti-Marcos freedom fighters in US". globalnation.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Newspaper shut for questioning Marcos war record". UPI. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Pamela G. Hollie (December 8, 1982). "MANILA NEWSPAPER CLOSED BY MARCOS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Jeff Gerth (March 9, 1986). "MANILA HAS DATA ON MARCOS HOLDINGS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Weintraub, Richard M.; Weintraub, Richard M. (July 12, 1986). "Calls Linked to Marcoses in Hawaii". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Johnson, Kirk (May 22, 1986). "MANILA PANEL SEEKING MARCOS ASSETS IS FAULTED BY SOME OVER ITS LAWYERS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ "Bonifacio Gillego (1921–2002): The Major Who Asked Why". Newsbreak. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Timberman, David G. (January 1, 1991). A Changeless Land: Continuity and Change in Philippine Politics. Institute of Southeast Asian. ISBN 9789813035867.
- ^ Gillego, Bonifacio H (1990). Requiem for reformism: the ideas of Rizal on reform and revolution. Sampaloc, Manila: Wall Street Communication & Marketing. OCLC 24141539.
- ^ McCoy, Alfred W. (2002). Closer Than Brothers: Manhood at the Philippine Military Academy. Yale University Press. ISBN 0300173911.
- ^ "MARCOS FAKE MEDALS REDUX (Part I)". asianjournalusa.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Alagappa, Muthiah (2001). Coercion and Governance: The Declining Political Role of the Military in Asia. Stanford University Press. ISBN 9780804742276.