During his tenure as governor, Degamo has implemented various development projects in the province, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, healthcare, and education. He has also been involved in efforts to promote tourism in Negros Oriental and has been recognized for his work in this area.
In 2018, Degamo was indicted by the Office of the Ombudsman for graft and malversation of public funds related to the alleged misuse of calamity funds. However, he denied the charges and maintained his innocence.
It is important to note that any opinions or views about Roel Degamo's performance as a governor should be based on factual information and should not be influenced by personal biases or prejudices.
On Saturday, March 4, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, 56, was shot dead just outside their family's residential compound in another brazen killing of a local government official.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Negros Oriental, the killing occurred in Pamplona's Barangay 9.
His wife, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, confirmed his death in a video message around 11:41 a.m.
According to the PNP Central Visayas, six assailants used long firearms and fled the scene in two SUVs.
He is the most recent local government official to be assassinated by the administration.
Rommel Alameda, Deputy Mayor of Aparri, Cagayan, was murdered in an ambush in Nueva Vizcaya on February 19.
According to his Metro Post biography, Degamo's parents are Arturo Degamo and Luzviminda Ragay.
On April 29, 1966, he was born in Siaton town's Barangay Bonawon, Negros Oriental.
Degamo has three brothers and sisters.
His elementary education was completed at Pio Macahig Memorial School, and his secondary education was completed at St. Louis School in Dumaguete City.
Degamo went on to study mechanical engineering at Silliman University, where he graduated in 1989.
In the same year, he passed the licensing exam.
Degamo worked as a driver for the National Power Company before entering politics.
He also worked as a senior plant mechanic and an electrical control operator.
Political vocation
He was elected provincial legislator of Negros Oriental in 2010 after receiving the most votes in his province's third legislative district.
Eventually, he was appointed vice governor after then-Negros Oriental vice governor Agustin Perdices succeeded then-governor Emilio Macias II, who died in June 2010 from liver cancer.
After Perdices died, Degamo took over as governor in January 2011.
Degamo stood for governor of his province in 2013 after finishing the mandates of Macias and Perdices.
His party, the PDP-Laban, was not as powerful or important at the time, but Degamo defeated opponents from major parties such as the Nationalist People's Coalition and the then-ruling Liberal Party.
Degamo was elected governor four times: in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022.
In 2016, he ran under the National Unity Party banner, and in 2019 and 2022, he ran under the Nacionalista Party banner.
The deceased governor began politics in 1998 when he was elected councilor of Siatown, a position he held until 2007.
Degamo was the president of the Philippine Councilors League-Negros Oriental.
Difficult road to election success in 2022
Degamo requested that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) classify a specific Ruel Degamo as a nuisance candidate in their governor campaign a year before the 2022 national and municipal elections. The Comelec's Second Division concurred with Degamo and designated Ruel - the other Degamo - a nuisance candidate on December 16, that year.