Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Alyannah M. Hidalgo
2LM4
Submitted to:
Asst. Prof. Girly V. Constantino
Submitted on:
September 26, 2019
"No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights... they are what makes a man human.
Deny them and you deny man's humanity." Jose W. Diokno
Senator Jose W. Diokno was born on February 26, 1922. His parents were Ramón
Diokno, a former senator and Supreme Court Justice and Leonor Wright, an American mestiza.
The senator obtained his commerce degree from De La Salle College in 1939. After Diokno
enrolled in law at the University of Santo Tomas his studies were interrupted by the outbreak
of World War II when he was in second year in law. Because of this, he pursued his studies in
law by himself in his father’s law office. The Supreme court granted him an exemption to the bar
exams, which he passed even not completing the law degree. He was the only person to top the
successful handling of election and criminal cases. He became the Secretary of Justice in 1961
1962. Moreover, He served as Senator of the Philippines, Secretary of Justice, founding chair of
the Commission on Human Rights, and founder of the Free Legal Assistance Group.
The senator was married to Carmen Icasiano. They were blessed with nine children. He
was a leading figure in the formation of the Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties,
which organized series of protest rallies during Martial Law. He spent two years in detention. No
charge was ever filed against him.
Immediately after his release, Diokno set up the Free Legal Assistance Group in 1974,
which gave free legal services to the victims of martial law. It was the first and largest
association of human rights attorneys ever assembled in the nation. In court, Diokno personally
defended tribal groups, peasants, social workers threatened by exploitation and military
atrocities. He was also involved in documenting cases of torture, summary execution, and
disappearances under the Marcos regime.
After the 1986 People Power Revolution, Diokno was appointed by President Corazon
Aquino as founding chairman of the Presidential Committee on Human Rights, and tasked to
lead a government panel to negotiate for the return of rebel forces to the government folds. He
resigned because of great disgust since he represented the victims of Mendiola Massacre.
He died in February 27, 1987 and in 2004, Diokno was posthumously conferred
the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Supremo, the Philippines' highest honor.
Continuing his legacy may be hard, but I have one goal in mind. My innate belief in the
importance of justice is what ultimately led me to pursue a career in legal management and law.
Ever since a child, I really wanted to be a human rights lawyer. Human Rights Lawyer that the
inherent dignity of their clients, protect the rights of vulnerable populations, marginalized
groups, women, children, indigenous peoples, refugees, LGBTI communities and others.
Working as a human rights lawyer means advocating for people who have suffered from great
injustices. Human Rights Lawyers hold states, companies and belligerent groups to account after
they committed human rights violations or abuses. I always believe that what unites and binds
us together, though, is the belief that all human beings have certain inalienable rights, and that
the future of humanity, and our planet, depends on defining and protecting those rights.
Every individual is endowed with inherent worth and, as an individual, should be protected by
law and by those sworn to uphold the law. We need those who will work to amend, change, or
even break laws if need be, all in the service of protecting our fundamental right to a life of
equality, freedom, and dignity. Being a human rights lawyer is one such way to continue Jose
Diokno’s legacy.
statement and commitment of UST to uphold, protect and promote human rights through the
portrayal of manifesto on human rights and dignity. I believe that it is an important issue, human
rights, particularly now that so many of the powerless and the voiceless are being killed and
dehumanized. It is important to let people, regardless of political leanings, make a stand on what
they believe is right. Moreover, The final takeaway of the exhibit would be a gained awareness
that to be a functional nation, we have to uphold human dignity by working out solutions to our
social problems with that core value in mind.