Jose W. Diokno, Born in Manila, Son of Batangas
Jose Wright Diokno, nationalist senator and human rights lawyer, was born in Manila on February 26, 19221. He studied at De La Salle College for elementary and high school, graduating valedictorian, and earned a commerce degree summa cum laude in 19402.
He then enrolled in Law at the University of Santo Tomas, later transferred to the University of the Philippines, but his studies were interrupted by World War II3.
Despite the disruption, he was allowed to take the 1944 Bar Exams. He not only topped the exam but set one of the all-time highests scores in bar history with 95.3 percent4. He also passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board, making him the only Filipino to top both the CPA and Bar Exams5.
After the war, he worked as a corporate lawyer and became general counsel of San Miguel Corporation, then the country’s largest company6. His reputation as a brilliant lawyer grew, and in 1962 he was appointed Secretary of Justice by President Diosdado Macapagal. He prosecuted the Stonehill bribery scandal, showing independence against entrenched interests7.
In 1963 he ran for the Senate and won a nationwide mandate8. As senator, he authored the Investment Incentives Act of 1967, amendments to the Retail Trade Nationalization Law, and the Magna Carta of Social Justice and Economic Freedom9.
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| Colorized public domain photo of Jose W. Diokno. |
These measures sought to balance foreign investment with Filipino control of the economy.
He also wrote widely. His book A Nation for Our Children collected his essays and speeches on nationalism and justice10. He contributed to the Philippine Free Press and Graphic magazines, and published legal essays in the Philippine Law Journal11.
His writings gave intellectual depth to the nationalist movement.
But while born and raised in Manila, Diokno in fact traces his roots to Batangas. His Batangueño lineage came through his grandfather, General Ananías Diokno of Taal, a Katipunan leader who led Visayan expeditions during the Philippine Revolution12.
This bloodline tied Jose W. Diokno to Batangas’ tradition of resistance and civic leadership.
He was also active internationally. He became a member of the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva, worked with Amnesty International, and represented the Philippines in conferences on decolonization and human rights13.
These roles linked the Philippine struggle to global advocacy.
During Martial Law, he co‑founded the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity, and Nationalism (MABINI), defending political detainees and mentoring young lawyers14.
He was jailed without charges in 1972 alongside Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and emerged as the country’s foremost human rights lawyer15.
After the dictatorship, he became the first chair of the Commission on Human Rights in 1986, shaping national standards for dignity and due process16. He was later awarded the Quezon Service Cross, the nation’s highest recognition for public service17.
He is remembered as the “Father of Human Rights Advocacy” in the Philippines. His legacy endures in institutions, memorials, and the continuing work of his children, especially in law and public service — and even though Manila born and raised, always a proud son of Batangas.
2 “Lasallian Heroes of Democracy – Jose W. Diokno,” by De La Salle University, online at dlsu.edu.ph.
3 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, 2015, online at bantayog.org.
4 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Supreme Court of the Philippines, Bar Records, online at sc.judiciary.gov.ph.
5 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Wikiwand, 2023, online at wikiwand.com.
6 Ibid.
7 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Official Gazette of the Philippines, 1962, online at gov.ph.
8 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Senate of the Philippines, Resolution of the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session.
9 “Investment Incentives Act of 1967,” by Senate of the Philippines, online at senate.gov.ph.
10 “A Nation for Our Children,” by Jose W. Diokno, published 1987 by Diokno Foundation.
11 “Jose W. Diokno,” by Philippine Law Journal Archives, University of the Philippines, online at up.edu.ph.
12 “Ananías Diokno,” by National Historical Commission of the Philippines, 2010, online at nhcp.gov.ph.
13 “Jose W. Diokno,” by International Commission of Jurists, 1970, online at icj.org.
14 “Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG),” by FLAG Philippines, 1974, online at flag.ph.
15 “Closer than Brothers,” by Alfred W. McCoy, published 1999 by Yale University Press.
16 “Commission on Human Rights (Philippines) – Formation and Mandate,” by Official Gazette, 1986, online at gov.ph.
17 “Quezon Service Cross Awardees,” by Official Gazette of the Philippines, online at gov.ph.