“They represent the best of this country.”
When we remember EDSA People Power, we remember not only the glorious days of February when the people trooped to EDSA to finally rise against the dictatorship of Marcos and restore democracy. We are also reminded of the excesses of the Marcos regime such as the plunder of the economy and the sacrifice of hundreds, if not thousands, of patriots, nationalists, advocates of different political colors who fearlessly put their lives and limbs on the line so that others could live without fear and with dignity.
Of the hundreds, if not thousands, who died, were imprisoned, forced into exile, or simply disappeared, some names and personalities stand out because of heroism and courage. One who stood out among the crowd for his courage and nationalistic fervor was Jose “Pepe” Diokno.
Ka Pepe was a nationalist, lawyer with an illustrious career, a senator, and statesman. He is generally regarded as the “Father of Human Rights Advocacy in the Philippines” having been the founding chair of the Commission on Human Rights, and founder of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the premier group of Filipino human rights lawyers of which I have been a member for 32 years now.
After topping the bar, Diokno established his reputation as a successful legal practitioner. In 1962, Diokno was appointed Secretary of Justice by President Diosdado Macapagal and in 1963, he ran for senator under the Nacionalista Party and won by a large majority. But Diokno’s claim to fame was not as a politician, although his record was outstanding enough. His legacy is etched as a human rights defender and nationalist.
When President Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus following the president’s bombing of the Plaza Miranda gathering of Liberal Party members, Diokno decided to distance himself from the Nacionalista Party to which the president belonged in protest and took to the streets. Since then, he never looked back and devoted his time to fight the dictatorship and defend its victims in his capacity as a lawyer, as a senator, and street parliamentarian. When martial law was declared on September 21, 1972, Diokno was one of the first political opposition leaders and personalities who was imprisoned.
While in detention, he and Ninoy Aquino, who occupied another cell, would frequently sing the national anthem Lupang Hinirang or “Chosen Land” to which the other would reply by singing Bayan Ko or “My Country” to prove he was still alive. He spent 718 days, or nearly two years in detention, mainly at the maximum security prison without having been charged for any crime. Two years after his arrest, on September 11, 1974—Marcos’s 57th birthday – Diokno was released. After his release, Sen. Diokno was chosen as chairman of the Civil Liberties Union, a position he held until 1982. And in 1983, Diokno founded the Kilusan sa Kapangyarihan at Karapatan ng Bayan (Movement for People’s Sovereignty and Democracy) Organization or KAAKBAY and either joined or headed other nationalistic and cause oriented organizations, mainly to fight human rights abuse and promote nationalism. In every organization and alliance that fought Marcos and foreign intervention, Diokno was either an active participant or at the forefront. Despite the threats to his life, Diokno went around and outside the Philippines, spreading a message of hope and democracy.
In 1984 Diokno was diagnosed with terminal cancer, even before the People Power Edsa Revolt. Despite his illness, Diokno continued to work for his advocacies. When he died, I joined his funeral march to thank the man who inspired me to become a human rights lawyer. Today, I make sure to bring my students to the Commission on Human Rights where a solemn monument honors its founder. There, while taking selfies, I share the story of this great Filipino.
I share with my students Ka Pepe’s most famous words: “No cause is more worthy than the cause of human rights…they are what make a man human. Deny them and you deny man’s humanity.” And on love of country, he was once quoted – “There is one dream that we all Filipinos share: that our children may have a better life than we have had. To make this country, our country, a nation for our children.”
It is wonderful that Ka Pepe’s children, among whom is Dean Chel Diokno who is running for the Senate, continue to work for such a nation – for our children, and our children’s children. Lesser known are his siblings, although some I also know like Cookie who continues the pillar of FLAG, the eminent historian Maris, and the nationalist economist Maitet. Chel’s children are also making their own contribution to our nation. And who of course we all remember Ka Pepe’s spouse and mother of their children, Nena Diokno, who was as courageous and nationalistic as her husband.
Ka Pepe would have turned 100 years old today, February 26, 2022. More than 100 masses will be celebrated for him, including one by the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government which I helped organize. We will thank the Lord of justice and peace for the gift of Ka Pepe and the Dioknos. They represent the best of this country, a nation-building family.
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