He was a former constitutional delegate, congressman, senator and Secretary of Education under the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He had a strong following among young voters in the Philippines due to his efforts to promote honesty and good governance.

In the United States, he obtained his Master of Laws at the University of Pennsylvania, while also cross-enrolled at Wharton School where he took up multinational studies.

He became one the legal staff of the late Philippine Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, and he drafted the Study Now, Pay Later law.

He wrote the law which reformed the nation's banking system; this earned him the title "Father of the Bangko Sentral".

On the students' side, he helped bring computers into Philippine universities, colleges, and public schools.

In addition, he devised a plan for meal scholarships for poor students at the Philippine Normal University.

He was given the Bantay Katarungan award by Kilosbayan for playing an integral role in the Senate impeachment trial of then-president Joseph Estrada who was impeached by the House of Representatives on 2000 for graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and culpable violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

During his tenure in that position, Roco allowed free public education (through high school) as required by the Philippine Constitution.

He also enacted a reform of basic education curriculum in order that children would focus their studies on reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and Makabayan.

Party leaders then included Jaime Galvez Tan, Lorna Patajo-Kapunan and Darwin Mariano.

His candidacy was based on his ability to fight corruption and to display fair play, decency, and honor.

On August 5, 2005, Raul Roco died of prostate cancer, at St Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City.