By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
Luminaries of the Philippine justice system have joined forces to show their support for the candidacy of Otso Diretso senatorial bet Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, highlighting his service and passion for justice.
SUPPORT – FEU Law Dean Mel Sta Maria, former SC Associate Justices Antonio Nachura and Roberto Abad, former Ombudsmen Conchita Carpio-Morales and Simeon Marcelo, and LPU Law Dean Soledad Mawis endorse the candidacy of human rights lawyer and Otso Diretso senatorial bet Chel Diokno on Thursday. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)
In a press conference in San Juan City on Thursday, former Supreme Court Associate Justices Roberto Abad and Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Far Eastern University (FEU) Institute of Law Dean Atty. Melencio Sta. Maria, Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) College of Law Dean Atty. Soledad Mawis, former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales endorsed the senatorial bid of Diokno.
Former Justice Nachura cited Diokno’s passion for justice and quality legal education on why he enlisted himself as one of the campaign volunteers for the human rights lawyer’s candidacy.
On the other hand, former Justice Abad said Diokno learned well from his late father, former Sen. Jose W. Diokno, after working together at the High Court and at the De La Salle University College of Law, where Diokno served as its founding dean.
“He (former Sen. Diokno) was a brilliant man. And I appreciate that Chel got those qualities because I know, he worked with me at the Supreme Court, invited him to help us with the revision of the rules of Civil Procedure. And he did fine work in his assignment,” Abad said.
Meanwhile, former Ombudsman Marcelo pointed out that Diokno’s integrity, principles, and courage is similar to his father.
“Kung gano po katapang, gano ka-prinsipyo, yung integridad ng kanyang ama, ganoon din po si Chel. Mayroon siyang integrity, may prinsipyong tao, at matapang na pinaglalaban po niya, he’s really a champion of human rights,” Marcelo said.
LPU Law Dean Mawis highlighted Diokno’s love for justice and service, and his heart for the poor.
“If I were to spell Dean Chel’s name, I will spell it with s-e-r-v-i-c-e. Chel is service. That’s the reason why I’m here to endorse Dean Chel,” Mawis said.
FEU Law Dean Sta. Maria also endorsed Diokno, saying that the opposition candidate will ensure that the Senate will assert its independence, as well as the system of check and balance in the government.
With the endorsement of the members of the legal community, Diokno said their support inspires him, with only a few days remaining in the campaign trail.