24 Facts About Roel Degamo

Roel Ragay Degamo was a Filipino politician who served as governor of Negros Oriental from 2011 to June 2022, and again from October 2022 until his assassination on March 4,2023.

Roel Degamo previously served as the province's vice governor from 2010 to 2011, and was a municipal councilor of Siaton from 1998 to 2007.

Roel Degamo was suspended from office in October 2017 until January 2018 due to three dismissal orders from the Office of the Ombudsman stemming from allegations of misappropriating public funds.

Roel Degamo lost the gubernatorial race to Pryde Henry Teves in the May 2022 elections.

In June 2022, a defeated Roel Degamo filed a petition for mandamus at the Supreme Court, which compelled COMELEC to resolve the case.

On October 3,2022, COMELEC upheld their earlier decision and transferred votes obtained by Ruel to Roel Degamo, proclaiming him the election's true winner.

Roel Ragay Degamo was born in Bonawon in the municipality of Siaton, Negros Oriental on April 29,1966.

Roel Degamo finished his primary and secondary education in his hometown and in Dumaguete, respectively; then earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Silliman University in 1989.

Roel Degamo worked at the National Power Corporation since 1991; was promoted in 1992 as senior plant mechanic, and in 1995 as electrical control operator of the Integrated Barge Management Department, both positions co-terminus with the project.

Roel Degamo's only, adopted son, Carlo, and his nephew, Nyrth Christian, are members of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board.

Roel Degamo started his political career in his hometown of Siaton, serving three consecutive terms in the Sangguniang Bayan from 1998 to 2007.

Roel Degamo concurrently served as president of the Provincial Councilors League of Negros Oriental from 2004 to 2007, making him an ex officio member of the Negros Oriental Provincial Board.

Roel Degamo was elected as Region VII chairperson, which entitled him to a seat in the National Board of the Philippine Councilor's League.

Roel Degamo assumed the position of vice-governor when vice governor-elect Agustin Perdices assumed the gubernatorial position vacated by the elected governor Emilio Macias II, who died before taking his oath of office for another term.

However, Governor Perdices died in January 2011 and in accordance with the Local Government Code, Roel Degamo became the governor.

Roel Degamo had received three dismissal orders from the Office of the Ombudsman during his tenure from 2011 to 2022:.

Roel Degamo's administration had a banner program, HELP.

Roel Degamo, running under Nacionalista Party, sought re-election in 2022 for a fourth consecutive term after the Commission on Elections controversially allowed him to run despite completing three straight terms claiming that his three terms in office were interrupted a number of times following suspension and dismissal orders by the Office of the Ombudsman, but lost to Bayawan City mayor Pryde Henry Teves.

Teves took his oath of office on June 30,2022 Teves and Roel Degamo had a brief standoff for hours as Roel Degamo refused to vacate the office, but eventually conceded and exited after negotiations.

The votes garnered by Gaudia would be credited to Roel Degamo, surpassing those by Teves; therefore enough to win.

On February 14,2023, the SC en banc dismissed the petitions separately filed by Teves, as well as by Gaudia; thus, the COMELEC's declaration of Roel Degamo's victory was affirmed.

Roel Degamo was distributing aid to local beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program program when the attack happened.

Roel Degamo was rushed to Negros Polymedic Hospital in Sibulan, but was pronounced dead at 11:41 am Nine other people were killed in the shooting, along with 17 injured.

Roel Degamo was later interred at his family mausoleum in Siaton, alongside his parents and sister.