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Chel Diokno

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Icasiano and the surname or paternal family name is Diokno.

Chel Diokno
Diokno in 2022
Member-elect of the Philippine House of Representatives for Akbayan
Assuming office
June 30, 2025
SucceedingNone
Legal and academic roles held
Dean of the De La Salle University College of Law
In office
2009–2019
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byGil de los Reyes
Chairman of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 30, 2022
Preceded byWigberto Tañada
Chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group
Incumbent
Assumed office
2003
Personal details
Born
Jose Manuel Tadeo Icasiano Diokno

(1961-02-23) February 23, 1961 (age 64)
Pasay, Rizal, Philippines
Political partyAkbayan (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations
SpouseDivina Aromin
Relations
Children6, including Pepe
Parent(s)Carmen Diokno (mother)
Jose W. Diokno (father)
ResidenceSan Juan, Metro Manila
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Diliman (BA)
Northern Illinois University College of Law (JD)
Occupation
  • Lawyer
  • educator
  • academic administrator
  • politician
  • radio host
ProfessionLawyer
Signature
Websitehttps://cheldiokno.com

Jose Manuel Tadeo "Chel" Icasiano Diokno (Tagalog: [ˈdʒɔknɔ], born February 23, 1961) is a Filipino politician and lawyer who is a representative-elect for Akbayan Partylist. He is concurrently the chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group and the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.

Diokno is the son of former Senator Jose W. Diokno. He studied law at the University of the Philippines College of Law and Northern Illinois University in the United States, graduating in 1986 and passing the Philippine Bar Examinations in 1988. For much of his legal career, Diokno has been affiliated with the Free Legal Assistance Group, a nationwide organization of human rights lawyers. He became its chairman in 2003. In 2009, he founded the Tañada-Diokno School of Law as the De La Salle University College of Law and served as its inaugural dean until 2019. In 2022, he became the chairman of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.

Diokno unsuccessfully sought election to the Senate of the Philippines twice, running in 2019 under Otso Diretso and 2022 under Team Robredo–Pangilinan. He was elected to the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 2025 as the first nominee of the Akbayan Partylist, which won three seats in an upset victory.

Early life and education

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Chel Diokno, front row, the eighth child

Jose Manuel Tadeo Icasiano Diokno was born on February 23, 1961, in Pasay, Rizal.[1][better source needed] He was the eighth of ten children to human rights lawyer Jose W. Diokno, who later serve as a senator, and activist Carmen Icasiano.[2][better source needed][3] He is the great-grandson of Ananías Diokno, a leader of the Visayans during the Philippine–American War, and the grandson of Ramón Diokno, a nationalist who served as Senator and Supreme Court Associate Justice. His sister, Maris Diokno, went on to serve as a senior administrator in the University of the Philippines system and chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

Diokno completed his elementary and secondary education at La Salle Green Hills. As a student, he was the student council leader, a member of the varsity basketball team. He developed an interest in cycling and aikido, where he earned a black belt.[4]

In 1982, Diokno earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He studied law at the University of the Philippines College of Law for one year before transferring to Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the United States, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor in 1986.[5] He passed the Bar Examination in Illinois in 1987. After his father's death, he returned to the Philippines and passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 1988, beginning his law practice the following year.[6]

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Diokno returned to the Philippines in 1987 and has regularly served as an amicus curiae in the Supreme Court.[7] In the 1990s, Diokno served in the Commission on Human Rights under Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. He was also a member of the Committee on Human Rights and Due Process at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).[6] He has also served as a special counsel for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.[8]

Diokno was part of the team of lawyers affiliated with the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) who prosecuted the 27 police officers implicated in the 1995 Kuratong Baleleng rubout case.[9]

In 2001, Diokno was the private prosecutor in the impeachment proceedings against then-President Joseph Estrada. That same year, he became General Counsel of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigation) under Senator Joker Arroyo. In 2004, he was appointed Special Counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines.[6]

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Diokno during a Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) conference in 2017

Diokno became the chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) in 2003.[10][11]

In the NBN–ZTE deal corruption scandal, he served as the counsel for Jun Lozada, the whistleblower and lead witness in the Ombudsman's cases against former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) head Romulo Neri and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Benjamin Abalos.[12]

In 2007, he, along with fellow FLAG lawyers Theodore Te and Ricardo Sunga III, petitioned and were granted by the Supreme Court to issue Writs of Amparo for Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo, two brothers who were allegedly tortured by military agents.[13] In 2008, he secured the release of the "Tagaytay 5," who were allegedly illegally detained by the Philippine National Police.[14]

Together with Te, Diokno represented several media organizations in a petition against the Arroyo administration in 2018. The case involved members of ABS-CBN, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Probe Productions, Newsbreak, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, among others, who were allegedly rounded up for their "illegal" coverage of the Manila Peninsula siege.[15][16] In 2019, Diokno served as the lead lawyer, alongside Te, for Rappler CEO and founder Maria Ressa against the Duterte administration. One case he handled was People of the Philippines v. Santos, Ressa and Rappler.[17]

Following the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Diokno was named as a candidate for the position, which ultimately went to then-Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.[18]

Until 2019, Diokno served as the Presidential Adviser on Human Rights at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and was a member of the Panel of Arbitrators at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.[19]

Academic career

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Diokno taught at Far Eastern University during its collaboration with DLSU and at Ateneo de Manila University before 2009.[20] In 2006, Diokno established the Diokno Law Center, which provides legal training to various agencies, including the Commission on Elections, the Public Attorney's Office, the Philippine National Police, the Office of the Ombudsman, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).[citation needed] In 2007, Diokno published the book Diokno on Trial, which would be considered a staple in trial courses.[21]

In 2009, Diokno founded the De La Salle University College of Law and served as its founding dean until 2019.[22] On August 21, 2022, he was named the chairman of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.[23]

2019 and 2022 Philippine Senate campaigns

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Chel Diokno at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in 2019

2019

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Main article: 2019 Philippine Senate election

In the 2019 Philippine general election, Diokno ran for a seat in the Senate as a member of the Liberal Party under the Otso Diretso coalition, which opposed President Rodrigo Duterte's human rights record.[24] His senatorial bid received endorsements from former associate justices Antonio Nachura and Roberto A. Abad as well as former Ombudsmen Conchita Carpio-Morales and Simeon V. Marcelo.[25]

He was defeated, placing 21st.[26][27] On July 19, 2019, the PNP–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed charges against Diokno and other opposition members for "sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal, and obstruction of justice." These charges were related to the "Bikoy" videos.[28][29] On February 10, 2020, he was cleared of all charges.[30]

2022

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Main article: 2022 Philippine Senate election

On June 12, 2021, ahead of the 2022 Philippine presidential election, 1Sambayan—a coalition that aimed to field a single candidate against President Duterte's preferred successor—endorsed Diokno and five others for president and vice president.[31][32] He declined to run for either position, stating that while he was honored by the nomination, he preferred continuing his Free Legal Helpdesk and other forms of service.[33][better source needed]

On September 15, 2021, Diokno announced his candidacy for the Senate in the 2022 Philippine Senate election.[34] While he initially planned to run as an independent, he filed his certificate of candidacy for the position as a member of the Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) on October 7.[35][36] During the campaign, he ran under Team Robredo–Pangilinan in support of the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.[37] He was also listed as a guest candidate in the senatorial slate of her opponent Leody de Guzman.[38] Diokno went on to be defeated again, placing 19th.

House of Representatives (from 2025)

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Diokno at a thanksgiving celebration following Akbayan's victory in the 2025 election.

Election

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Main article: 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections

On May 14, 2024, Diokno announced his intention to run for the Senate for a third time in the 2025 elections.[39] He would backtrack from his initial plans upon becoming a member of Akbayan later in the year.[40] The party later announced that they nominated Diokno as their first nominee for the 2025 Philippine House of Representatives elections.[41]

Leading up to the election, pollsters including Pulse Asia projected Akbayan to be at risk of losing its sole seat in the lower house.[42] The party went on to top the elections for party-list election with 2,779,621 votes [43] securing three seats and also securing Diokno a seat in the 20th Congress, along with fellow nominees Representative Perci Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula.[44] Media outlets regarded the results as an upset victory for the party, with Diokno himself expressing shock at the results.[44]

Tenure

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On May 14, 2025, Speaker Martin Romualdez invited Diokno as well as fellow representative-elect Leila de Lima to serve on the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.[45] The invitation was seconded by Representatives Joel Chua and Jefferson Khonghun, who noted the "background and legal expertise" of the representatives-elect as being beneficial to the panel.[46] Diokno accepted the invitation.[47] Akbayan, having endorsed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, supported his participation in the panel.[48] In response to his acceptance of the invitation, Duterte criticized Diokno for being "anti-Duterte since birth", which he refuted.[49]

Political positions

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Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos

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Diokno at a press conference opposing the Duterte–Marcos alliance.

As the descendant of former Senator and Martial Law critic Jose W. Diokno, Chel Diokno has taken a stand against the historical negationism and denialism regarding the Philippines' Martial Law era under Ferdinand Marcos.[50][51][52]

Personal life

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Chel Diokno as a human rights advocate with his wife Divina

Diokno is married to writer Divina Aromin.[53][when?] They have six children; their eldest son is filmmaker Pepe, who was named after his grandfather and born a few months after his death in 1987. Their eldest daughter, Laya Elena, became a lawyer in 2022.[54] Diokno also co-hosts radio programs such as Oras at Bayan on Veritas 846 and Rekta: Agenda ng Masa on DZRH and DZRH News Television.[55][better source needed][56][better source needed] Diokno has also written news articles on forensic DNA, electronic evidence, anti-terrorism legislation, media law, and judicial reform.[6][better source needed]

Diokno frequently interacts with his supporters, known as Cheldren (portmanteau of Chel and children), through his social media platforms.[57]

Bibliography

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  • Diokno On Trial: The Techniques And Ideals Of The Filipino Lawyer (The Complete Guide To Handling A Case In Court), published by the Diokno Law Center in 2007
  • Civil And Administrative Suits As Instruments Of Accountability For Human Rights Violations, published by the Asia Foundation in 2010
  • Model Pleadings of Jose W. Diokno Volume 1: Supreme Court published by the Diokno Law Center in 2020.

Ancestry

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See also

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Further reading

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  • Diokno, Jose Manuel I. (2007). Diokno On Trial. Diokno Law Center. ISBN 978-9-719-37870-9.
  • Flores, Dominique Nicole (May 7, 2025). "5 party-lists poised to secure 3 House seats, latest survey shows". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 23, 2025.

References

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  1. ^ Chel Diokno [@ChelDiokno] (February 23, 2021). "I didn't think I'd reach this age, but I just celebrated my big 6-0 with my kids by my side and with friends via Zoom. Thank you all for the birthday greetings, and to the "cheldren" for sending me cakes!" (Tweet). Retrieved May 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Commission on Elections (Philippines) [@COMELEC] (October 7, 2021). "#COCFiling for the #NLE2022 Day 7: Jose Manuel Tadeo "Chel" Diokno files COC for Senator, Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP)" (Tweet). Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "Candidate's Profile: Diokno, Chel". gmanetwork.com. GMA News. 2019. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  4. ^ Diokno, Pepe; Diokno, Laya; Diokno, Abe; Diokno, Inez (June 20, 2020). "Chel Diokno: Our 'chill' dad". Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "DLSU College of Law – Faculty List". DLSU College of Law. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d "Atty. Diokno's CV (as of November 2010)". We Support Atty. Chel Diokno for Ombudsman. May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  7. ^ "Ang Kwento ni Chel Diokno — Chel Diokno". Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  8. ^ Pimentel, Boying (February 26, 2017). "Diokno: Fight the fear, sing our own song". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  9. ^ "PHILIPPINES: THREATS/FEAR FOR SAFETY: JOSE MANUEL DIOKNO". Amnesty International. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  10. ^ Inquirer, Philippine Daily (April 5, 2019). "Unique killings, same language, lawyers say of drug war reports". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  11. ^ "Meet Lascañas' battle-tested FLAG lawyers". Rappler. February 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  12. ^ Manahan, Ruben (April 30, 2009). "Police arrest Jun Lozada". Manila Times. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  13. ^ Panaligan, Rey (October 26, 2007). "Supreme Court, QC RTC issue 1st Writs of Amparo". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on August 25, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  14. ^ Calleja, Niña Catherine (August 29, 2008). "Tagaytay 5 freed; rebellion case 'nonexistent'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  15. ^ Jimenez-David, Rina (January 29, 2008). "Who's publicity-hungry?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  16. ^ "17 of 50 Journalists rounded up from The Pen released". GMA News. November 29, 2007. Archived from the original on May 25, 2019.
  17. ^ Buan, Lian (April 15, 2019). "Court junks Ressa appeal, says cyber libel valid 12 years post-publication". Rappler. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
  18. ^ Dedace, Sophia M. (June 7, 2011). "Ombudsman aspirant Diokno responds to critics questioning his 'independence'". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  19. ^ [citation needed]
  20. ^ Diokno 2007, pp. 101.
  21. ^ Cepeda, Quintin (April 27, 2022). "Chel Diokno: Like Father, Like Son".
  22. ^ Geronimo, Jee (May 13, 2011). "Ombudsman search: Diokno is no joke". Newsbreak. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  23. ^ "Chel Diokno named chair of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation". August 30, 2022. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  24. ^ Adel, Rosette (May 14, 2019). "'CHELebrate, don't cry,' Chel Diokno tells supporters after defeat". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  25. ^ Buan, Lian (May 9, 2019). "Ex-SC justices, ombudsmen endorse Chel Diokno". RAPPLER. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "Election 2019 Result".
  27. ^ "Chel Diokno, everybody's 'Woke Lolo', has confirmed he will seek a seat at the Senate". Coconuts Manila. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  28. ^ "Robredo, ilang taga-oposisyon kinasuhan ng PNP-CIDG ukol sa 'Bikoy' videos". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  29. ^ "Sedition raps: Solons, bishop hit 'stupid' PNP". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 20, 2019. Archived from the original on July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  30. ^ Buan, Lian (February 10, 2020). "DOJ clears Robredo, charges Trillanes in sedition case". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  31. ^ Torres-Tupas, Tetch (March 18, 2021). "Carpio launches coalition to challenge Duterte's 'anointed one' in 2022 polls". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  32. ^ Gavilan, Jodesz; Abad, Michelle (June 12, 2021). "FAST FACTS: Opposition 1Sambayan's nominees for president, vice president". Rappler. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  33. ^ ""I am very honored by the nomination, although I never aspired for those positions. Right now, I am focused on my Free Legal Helpdesk, and I hope to serve our country, especially the youth and the ordinary Filipino, in justice, accountability, and relief from the pandemic."". Twitter. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  34. ^ Buan, Lian (September 15, 2021). "Trusting 'a lot has changed,' Chel Diokno tries again for Senate". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  35. ^ Calica, Marian Feliz (September 15, 2021). "Rights lawyer Diokno to run for senator as independent". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 19, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  36. ^ Buan, Lian (October 7, 2021). "Human rights lawyers Diokno, Colmenares file Senate COCs to redeem 2019 losses". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  37. ^ Cepeda, Mara (October 15, 2021). "Robredo bares Senate slate, turns foes into allies vs Duterte". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  38. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (October 16, 2021). "Socialist presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman bares senatorial line up". Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  39. ^ Valmonte, Kaycee (May 14, 2024). "Bam Aquino to lead KANP party, confirms senatorial bid for 2025 polls". Rappler. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  40. ^ Chi, Cristina (September 18, 2024). "Akbayan seeks House seat that An Waray vacated". The Philippine Star. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  41. ^ Sampang, Dianne (September 28, 2024). "Chel Diokno is Akbayan Party's 1st nominee for 2025 polls". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  42. ^ Flores, Dominique Nicole (May 7, 2025). "5 party-lists poised to secure 3 House seats, latest survey shows". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  43. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico; mmercado (May 16, 2025). "Akbayan, Duterte Youth, Tingog head final party-list race results". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  44. ^ a b Javier, Paige (May 13, 2025). "'Shookt na shookt kami:' Diokno surprised with Akbayan leading party-list race". ABS-CBN News.
  45. ^ Tolentino, Reina C. (May 14, 2025). "De Lima, Diokno accept invitation to serve as House impeach prosecutors". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  46. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (May 14, 2025). "Solons back de Lima, Diokno as impeachment prosecutors". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  47. ^ Tolentino, Reina C. (May 14, 2025). "De Lima, Diokno accept invitation to serve as House impeach prosecutors". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  48. ^ Andrade, Jeannette I. (May 15, 2025). "De Lima, Diokno to join House team prosecuting VP Duterte". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  49. ^ Javier, Paige (May 20, 2025). "De Lima, Diokno on Sara Duterte's 'bloodbath' remark: Impeachment a civilized legal process | ABS-CBN News". ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  50. ^ Takumi, Rie (September 24, 2018). "Bongbong and Enrile's Martial Law video 'adding insult to injury' —Diokno family". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  51. ^ Gavilan, Jodesz (September 21, 2018). "'Distortion of truth': Diokno family slams Bongbong Marcos, Enrile". Rappler. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  52. ^ Galvez, Daphne (September 21, 2018). "Diokno family blasts Enrile's 'false' claims on martial law". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  53. ^ Diokno, Pepe (May 10, 2025). "Biggest Mentor". The Philippine Star.
  54. ^ "Official Lawyers List (1941–2022)". June 10, 2023. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  55. ^ @hontiverosrisa (March 3, 2024). "AGONG RADIO PROGRAM 📻 Join us in the new program where every minute, every second counts on ORAS NG BAYAN. We will tackle hot news, legal and political discussions, and your voices will be highlighted. Starting MONDAY, 3 PM to 4 PM on DZRV 846 Radyo Veritas with Atty. Chel Diokno and Norman Dequia. Listen in, allies!". Retrieved March 4, 2024 – via Instagram.
  56. ^ DZRH NEWS [@dzrhnews] (May 4, 2024). "Mamaya na! "REKTA: AGENDA NG MASA"" (Tweet). Retrieved May 7, 2024 – via Twitter.
  57. ^ Arceo, Therese (May 14, 2025). "Chel Diokno sa mga CHELdren: May mas malakas tayong boses sa Kongreso" [Chel Diokno to CHELdren: We have a stronger voice in Congress]. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
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