What Happened To Atty. Chel Diokno When His Father Was Imprisoned | Toni Talks

Summary

Attorney Chel Diokno, a renowned lawyer, educator, and human rights advocate, shares his life journey from a privileged childhood as the son of a senator to a profound transformation after witnessing his father's unjust arrest in 1972. His experiences led him to pursue law, graduating magna cum laude, and dedicating his career to providing legal assistance, particularly to journalists, activists, and human rights victims. Diokno emphasizes the importance of justice, integrity, and the influence of his parents on his life and career, while also discussing the challenges faced by the Philippine justice system and his personal approach to parenting and standing up for principles.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Attorney Chel Diokno earned a degree in philosophy and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines, and a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University.
• 📚 He is the chairman of 'FLAG', a free legal assistance group that has represented journalists and activists across various administrations.
• 👨‍💼 Known as the 'Woke Lolo' on Twitter, Diokno is a lawyer, educator, and human rights advocate.
• 👶 Born in Pasay City in 1961, his life changed drastically at the age of 11 when his father, a senator, was arrested without charge.
• 🏡 The arrest of his father was a traumatic event that led Diokno to question the justice system and influenced his decision to become a lawyer.
• 💼 Diokno's father's dedication to his legal work, integrity, and meticulousness greatly influenced his own approach to law.
• 🏛️ He is passionate about addressing the flaws in the justice system, particularly the delays in case resolution and the shortage of judges and prosecutors.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 As a father, Diokno values the unique connections with his children and believes in accepting and understanding them, allowing them to make their own decisions.
• 🌳 He enjoys storytelling and has a memorable tradition of creating a serialized story for his children, which they loved.
• 💭 Diokno stands for what is appropriate and right, and he wishes to be remembered for standing up for his principles throughout his life and career.

Q & A

Where did Chel Diokno earn his degree in philosophy?

Chel Diokno earned his degree in philosophy at the University of the Philippines.

What was Chel Diokno's academic achievement at Northern Illinois University?

Chel Diokno graduated juris doctor magna cum laude in 1986 from Northern Illinois University.

What is the acronym for the free legal assistance group that Chel Diokno chaired?

The acronym for the free legal assistance group that Chel Diokno chaired is 'FLAG'.

How did Chel Diokno's life change when his father was arrested in 1972?

Chel Diokno's life was turned upside down when his father was arrested in 1972, going from a privileged childhood to a period of uncertainty and trauma.

What was Chel Diokno's father's profession before becoming a senator?

Chel Diokno's father was a lawyer before he became a senator.

What impact did Chel Diokno's father's arrest have on his views about the justice system?

Chel Diokno's father's arrest led him to question the justice system, the government's actions, and the reasons behind his father's arrest.

What was the Kuratong Baleleng case, and why was it memorable for Chel Diokno?

The Kuratong Baleleng case was memorable for Chel Diokno as it was one of his first encounters with the media and the first time he received a death threat.

How did Chel Diokno's father influence his approach to law and life?

Chel Diokno's father instilled in him the importance of dedication, integrity, and meticulous preparation for cases, as well as the value of respecting others' dignity.

What did Chel Diokno's father teach him about handling anger?

Chel Diokno learned from his father that anger is an emotion that needs to be managed, and that one should control their response to situations rather than being controlled by their emotions.

How does Chel Diokno view the current state of the justice system in the Philippines?

Chel Diokno believes that the justice system in the Philippines is flawed, with significant delays in case resolutions and a shortage of judges and prosecutors.

What is Chel Diokno's approach to parenting, as described by his children?

Chel Diokno's approach to parenting involves allowing his children to be who they are, providing them with facts and opinions, and guiding them to make their own decisions.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Early Life and Legal Career

Attorney Chel Diokno discusses his educational background, including a degree in philosophy and law from the University of the Philippines and a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University. He shares his experience as the chairman of the free legal assistance group 'FLAG' and his online persona as 'Woke Lolo.' Diokno recounts his birth in Pasay City in 1961 and the significant impact of his father's arrest in 1972 on his life. He describes the trauma of witnessing his father's arrest and the subsequent changes in their family's life, which led him to question the justice system and motivated him to become a lawyer.

05:02

👨‍💼 Influence of Father and Legal Philosophy

Attorney Diokno reflects on the influence of his father, a former senator and lawyer, on his decision to pursue law. He shares how his father's dedication to helping people with legal cases after his release from prison shaped his own approach to law. Diokno emphasizes the importance of meticulous preparation and integrity in legal practice, which he learned from his father. He also discusses the contrast between the people who visited their home before and after his father's imprisonment, which opened his eyes to the real conditions in the country and solidified his resolve to become a human rights lawyer. Despite his father's illness and passing, Diokno is proud to have followed in his footsteps and to have made his father proud with his achievements.

10:06

🏡 Understanding Social Issues and Personal Resilience

Diokno delves into his understanding of social issues, particularly the plight of the urban poor, and how his perspective has evolved over time. He shares a memorable case, the Kuratong Baleleng case, which marked his first encounter with media and his first death threat. He discusses how he learned to handle such threats and criticism, drawing on the lessons from his father about responding to situations with control and reason. Diokno also shares a personal anecdote about learning to manage anger and the importance of standing up for justice, which fuels him as a lawyer and human rights advocate.

15:09

👨‍👧‍👦 Parenting Approach and Family Values

Attorney Diokno talks about his parenting style, which is rooted in the respect and understanding he received from his own parents. He emphasizes the importance of listening to his children and allowing them to make their own decisions, as illustrated by his son Pepe's coming out and his daughter Laya's reflections on her upbringing. Diokno shares the heartfelt letters he received from his children, which highlight his supportive and guiding role as a father. He also recounts creating an imaginative story for his children, reflecting his creativity and the close bond he shares with his family.

20:11

🏛️ Commitment to Justice and Life Principles

In the final paragraph, Diokno articulates his commitment to justice and the principles that guide him, drawing from the roots of Filipino words for justice and human rights. He stresses the importance of respecting one's own and others' dignity and shares his hope that people will remember him as someone who stood up for his principles throughout his life. He reflects on what is important in life, concluding that living a life true to one's principles and values is his ultimate goal.

Keywords

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the context of the video, the subject is mentioned as part of Attorney Chel Diokno's educational background, indicating a foundational understanding of ethical and conceptual principles that have likely influenced his approach to law and human rights.

💡Juris Doctor

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is a professional doctorate degree in law and one of the most common law degrees earned by attorneys in the United States. The video highlights that Attorney Diokno graduated with a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University, showcasing his academic excellence and rigorous study of law.

💡Human Rights Advocate

A human rights advocate is someone who actively promotes and defends the rights of individuals and groups. In the video, Attorney Diokno is described as a human rights advocate, emphasizing his commitment to justice and the protection of the rights of marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as journalists and activists.

💡Legal Assistance

Legal assistance refers to the help provided to individuals who need legal representation or advice. The video mentions 'FLAG' (Free Legal Assistance Group), which Attorney Diokno chairs, illustrating his dedication to offering free legal support to those who might not otherwise have access to it, particularly journalists and activists.

💡Trauma

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that has a lasting impact on a person's mental health. The script recounts Attorney Diokno's experience of his father's arrest, which he describes as a 'big trauma,' highlighting the personal impact of political events on individuals and families, and possibly influencing his career path and advocacy.

💡Justice System

The justice system refers to the institutions and processes that aim to ensure the enforcement of law and the establishment of justice. Throughout the video, Attorney Diokno discusses the flaws in the justice system, such as delays in case resolutions and a shortage of judges, which he sees as critical issues that need addressing to uphold the principles of justice.

💡Activists

Activists are individuals who actively participate in movements to bring about social, political, or environmental change. The video mentions that FLAG represented activists, indicating the role of legal assistance in supporting those who fight for causes they believe in and may face legal challenges as a result.

💡Magna Cum Laude

Magna cum laude is a Latin term used in academia to denote 'with great praise,' typically awarded to students who graduate with high honors. Attorney Diokno's graduation as a Juris Doctor magna cum laude is mentioned in the video, emphasizing his exceptional academic achievements and commitment to his studies.

💡Prisoner

A prisoner is a person who is imprisoned or detained, often as a result of a criminal conviction. The video discusses Attorney Diokno's father being taken as a prisoner, which was a pivotal moment in his life, shaping his views on justice and leading him to question the fairness of the system.

💡Introvert

An introvert is a person who tends to be more focused on their inner thoughts and feelings rather than seeking external stimulation. The video describes Attorney Diokno as an introvert in his childhood, preferring reading over social activities, which could have contributed to his deep reflections on justice and his subsequent career choices.

💡Injustice

Injustice refers to unfair treatment or a violation of rights. Attorney Diokno mentions his strong sense of justice and how witnessing injustice fuels him as a lawyer and advocate. This keyword encapsulates the driving force behind his work and his dedication to rectifying wrongs within the legal system.

Highlights

Attorney Chel Diokno earned a degree in philosophy and studied law at the University of the Philippines.

He graduated with a juris doctor magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University in 1986.

Diokno is the chairman of 'FLAG,' a free legal assistance group representing journalists and activists.

Known as the 'Woke Lolo' on Twitter, Diokno is a lawyer, educator, and human rights advocate.

Born in Pasay City in 1961, his father was a senator and lawyer who was arrested in 1972.

At 11, Diokno witnessed his father's arrest, a life-changing and traumatic event.

The arrest led Diokno to question justice and the system, influencing his career choice.

Diokno's father's dedication to his cases and meticulous preparation had a profound impact on him.

After his father's release from prison, Diokno saw a change in the people his father helped, influencing his own approach to law.

Diokno's dream was to be a human rights lawyer, continuing his father's work.

He faced his first death threat while handling the Kuratong Baleleng case, learning to be cautious.

Diokno believes anger should be controlled and responds to problems rationally, a lesson from his father.

He aims to correct the justice system, addressing delays and a lack of judges and prosecutors.

Diokno handles criticism and attacks by being aware of his responses, part of his role as a lawyer.

Transcripts

He earned a degree in philosophy at the University of the Philippines

and also studied Bachelor of Laws in UP College of Law.

He graduated juris doctor magna cum laude in 1986

in Northern Illinois University, where he studied law.

And he's also the chairman of the longest running

free legal assistance group

or what we call "FLAG,"

which represented journalists and activists in different administrations.

On Twitter, we know him as the "Woke Lolo."

He's a lawyer, educator and human rights advocate.

I'm so happy to have with us Attorney Chel Diokno.

- Hi attorney. - Hi Toni.

Thank you for having me.

Where were you born, attorney?

In Pasay City, in 1961.

I'm sure you haven't been born that time yet.

So, you were born in Pasay...

what was your dad's job?

He's a lawyer.

Then later, he became senator.

And that's what he was doing when he was arrested in 1972.

Actually, there was a disconnect in my childhood,

because for the first 11 years of my life,

I was a son of a senator.

If you're a son of a senator,

you have a driver and maids.

You always have companions everywhere.

You were considered, "privileged?"

Yes.

And yet when he was arrested in 1972,

and I was just 11 years old,

my life went upside down.

My dad was never charged with any crime

or any case that's why it really affected me.

So you were 11 years old when you witnessed that

life-changing moment?

It's a moment I can never forget.

Were you there when--

Yes.

When your father was arrested? You saw all of that?

I was supposed to be asleep.

I would usually sleep by nine o'clock.

But it so happened that my siblings had friends over.

So I played hooky and stayed up.

Yes.

And I remember one of my sister's friends even said,

"I'll go out. I just need to buy some cigarettes."

But immediately, he came back

and he looked pale and frazzled.

My sister asked, "What happened?"

"Why were you so quick?"

And he said, "There's a lot of soldiers outside the house."

And so my sister and I went upstairs.

We knocked on my parents' door.

By that time, they knew

because they heard from the window that a lot of cars were arriving.

And when we went down,

I remember the colonel who met us at the door.

He told my dad, "Sir, we are inviting you to the military camp."

And my father said, "Is this an invitation I can refuse?"

And the colonel was a bit-

he wasn't really-

He was quite apologetic then he said,

"I'm sorry sir, you have to come with us."

Where were you that time?

You were watching everything?

We were right there by the front door.

What did you feel

when the soldiers came to your house?

It was a big trauma,

because I never saw that much soldiers outside a house before,

- and all of them had huge guns. - Guns.

And I never thought my father would ever be arrested,

I was thinking, "what did he do?"

And I remember falling asleep on the floor of our main door.

I slept right there

because I didn't know if he was coming back the next day,

or if anything else would happen.

My mom woke me up at around 6 or 7 o'clock.

She told me, "Get changed. We will go to Fort Bonifacio."

So we thought we would get to visit him that day,

but all we could do is wave from afar.

The bus passed us, together with all who were arrested.

And that was the first time I saw him as a prisoner.

For the next two years, that was our life.

So looking at your father as your hero, to seeing him as a prisoner.

How did that affect you?

That was really a traumatic experience for me.

And it led me to question everything.

- Like? - Like about justice,

about the system that was happening in the country,

and about why they had to take him away from us.

During the entire time of his imprisonment,

all of us were experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions.

Of course, the anger was there,

the frustration,

because everyday you still hope for his release,

but it doesn't happen.

But it was really my dad who grounded us.

I remember one time, he said, "Don't take this personally."

Who were you angry at that time?

Of course, everyone who had faults. They should take responsibility.

Of course, that included the people in Malacañang

who were in control of the government at that time.

So when you were young, you witnessed that and...

somehow it shaped and molded you.

Because when a child experiences something like that,

usually they'd mature faster.

They get those realizations early on about life,

abour reality. Am I right?

Definitely, you know, I was raised-

I was really an introvert when I was a child.

I would choose reading over..

going out with friends.

But that was a game changer for me.

And my decision before was,

I was about twelve years old that time,

I said, "I want to be a lawyer like my father."

So when he was released in 1974,

he really turned his back on politics.

He didn't meddle anymore.

He dedicated his life to helping people in their legal cases.

And I learned so much from him as a lawyer and as a person.

As a lawyer,

what was the biggest lesson your father has taught you?

His dedication was immeasurable,

as well as his integrity,

and meticulousness.

The amount of preparation my dad puts for a case is intense.

If he needs to lose sleep for it, he will.

I recall one time he was asked by, I think it was Senator Serge Osmeña.

"How many hours do you prepare for court?"

My dad said, "For every hour I'm inside the courtroom,

I prepare 10 hours."

That's how tedious his preparation was.

And that's what I tell my students in the college of law,

"You think it's hard to study law..."

But actually, your whole life as a lawyer,

is a never-ending process of studying

until that last day that you practice.

I feel like taking up law and being a lawyer

isn't a profession, but instead, a calling.

I think so.

And you know, it was really a study in contrasts,

because when I was growing up as a child,

when the big men went to our house,

with their huge cars, the congressman, and all of that.

But when my dad was released in 1974,

different people would go to our house.

They'd usually be people in slippers, no lavish clothing.

Workers, activists, nuns and priests,

and I really-

My eyes and my mind were opened.

You were opened to?

Well, number one, the real conditions of our country.

Because as a child of a senator, you tend to have "blind ears."

But when my father was released from prison

and he met a lot of people who were asking for help,

that's when I realized how bad our justice system is.

I never thought of studying anything else but law

ever since I was young.

So it was just natural for me to go into law

after I finished my undergraduate studies.

And my dad was the one-

I was enrolled at the UP College of Law,

but then my dad said,

"It might be better if you learn your law

in a place where they really teach it well."

So I continued my studies in the US

and then came home after I finished.

Came home as magna cum laude.

I never expected to get those awards in law school too.

So how does it feel to go home with that kind of achievement

that you achieved for yourself?

Oh, I was so excited

and I really wanted to start my practice already.

My dream was to be with my dad in his law office.

But by the time I came home,

unfortunately, he was very sick with cancer already

and I only got to spend a few months with him.

He was bedridden already at that time until he eventually passed.

After you graduated as...

- juris doctor magna cum laude? - Yes.

So, you still saw your father when you came back

but he was already very sick?

He made it to my graduation in the States.

- That's a very happy memory. - He must have been so proud.

He would even tease me and say,

"You aren't really a magna cum laude,

you're just "magna cum lucky."

That's what he'd say.

But I could see that he was proud that I had that achievement.

So what was your dream growing up?

My dream really was to be a human rights lawyer.

It sounds a bit...

melodramatic, but it was never my ambition to be

a wealthy lawyer

or to be some kind of "superstar lawyer."

I just wanted to continue with what he was doing.

Although I have had also paying clients over the years,

I also have a lot of human rights victims as my clients.

And it opened up a whole new world

as far as what happens in our country.

So for example, the issues of the urban poor...

From the outside, it's easy to simplify the problem,

but when you get to talk to them,

and you realize that the reason why they went to the city

is because they just want a better life.

That's all they are after.

But then...

they failed to realize that once they get here,

the next problem would be getting a house

and finding where to get income.

And so they end up as informal settlers.

We cannot blame upfront

because that's the problem with many of us,

we always want to find someone to blame.

But if we try to understand them,

I think it's more open and understanding approach.

What's one case you handled

that was memorable for you?

The first case that comes to mind

is the Kuratong Baleleng case,

because that was one of the first times that I faced the media.

I wasn't used to the media yet.

That was also the first case that I got my first death threat.

So that was memorable for me.

Were you afraid of the death threat?

I just became more cautious.

And since that time, with the numerous death threats I had,

I just take the necessary precautions.

So you're used to the threats?

You can say that.

Upon observing you,

I actually see that you're such a calm and collected person.

As if you can never get angry especially with the way you speak.

What makes you angry then?

I realize that anger is an emotion

that we all have to learn how to deal with.

I learned that from my father too.

I remember this one time when I was a kid,

we were watching a basketball game-

of our inter-village team.

And I was so pissed at the referee because in my view,

he was making unfair calls.

All of his calls were favoring the other team.

So I got angry.

He was watching also

and he quietly approached me and said,

"Don't be mad at him. Life is really like that...

Things happen. You have no control over that.

But you have control over how you will respond to the situation."

And I never forgot that.

Because for me, why would you-

I cannot stop any problem from happening to me in my life,

but at least I can control how I respond to those problems.

And that has made me realize that

when you are so overcome with anger,

it really destroys your reason.

So these days, you know how to control it somehow,

those things that could anger you?

I try my best.

But what really ticks you off?

I think it's the sense of injustice,

Believe it or not, Filipinos have a strong sense of justice.

And when I see something wrong being done,

I cannot help but feel it in my gut.

So for me, that's what probably fuels me as a lawyer,

as a human rights advocate.

What's one thing you want to correct

with our present society?

Definitely, it's our justice system.

Because people almost have no confidence anymore in our justice system.

For example, we have so much delay in our cases.

I have cases that reached ten or even twenty years,

before they were closed.

And that kind of delay is simply not consistent with our concept of justice.

Second, when I studied that issue,

I found out that,

the reason why these cases become cold,

is because we lack judges.

That's the problem.

We have a twenty percent vacancy rate for judges.

So if you think of a hospital,

and it lacks doctors,

patients will come in everyday and

the hospital will not be able to sustain itself.

And it's not only judges we lack, but prosecutors too.

Thirty four percent of the positions for prosecutors are vacant.

And if we could only address that one issue,

we could solve so much in our justice system.

You mentioned that you are already used to getting death threats,

You were never really bothered because

you knew how to handle them.

How about the criticism and attacks against you?

How do you handle that?

That I also have to make sure I am aware of how I respond.

Actually, as a human rights lawyer before,

I wouldn't think of that.

And even if I would sometimes see the spotlight,

the bashing wasn't as frequent before.

That is part of the territory.

A big part of you is because of everything

that you have witnessed from your father

and he really is a huge influence in your life.

And you as a father,

how do you handle your children?

Well, first of all, I have to say that

it's not only my father, but also my mom.

My mom was like a rock,

especially during the times that my father was in jail.

We all relied on her for everything

and my mother's courage was unbelievable.

The same way my parents treated me

is I think how I treated my children.

My folks, they never looked down on us,

even when we were small.

We weren't treated as just kids who'd play around.

They respected the fact that we could think.

And so I tried to adapt the same approach with my children.

We asked your children

how you are as a father.

Pepe said,

"The best way I could describe him

is that he's the most chill dad.

He really allowed us to be who we are.

He even embraced me when I came out to him."

How's your relationship with Pepe

because he said that you allowed them to be who they really are?

To me, that's really the most important part of being a parent,

is having that connection

and understanding towards your children and accepting them.

I really value my relationship with my kids,

with Pepe, Laya, Abe, Inez, Julio, and Ian.

Our connection is unique.

So when he came out to you, what did you tell him?

Well, first of all, I kind of knew already,

even before he talked to me about it.

In fact, I also felt like-

I also wanted to reach out to him,

but I think we're both afraid

with what our reactions would be,

especially on his part.

That's why when he spoke to me,

I really went out of my way to assure him that

I am okay with it and it doesn't matter to me.

There's a letter that your daughter wrote, from Laya.

Yes.

What she wrote was beautiful.

She said, in this letter for you,

"Dear dad, remember all those times I would go to you as a kid,

angry and annoyed at the world,

complaining about something that bothered me that day.

I can no longer remember what I was angry about.

All I can remember is you listening to me."

That was so beautiful

because that's something that children want to feel,

that they are being heard.

So that's the kind of father you are.

You listen to your kids.

That's important that you.

This one also,

she talked about how she started smoking.

Yes.

And then she said, "I appreciated his advice

white other friends got an earful from their parents

and others have been hiding their lifestyle for years.

I was not.

I was given facts and opinions

and I needed to decide for myself, for my life.

This has been the way you have parented me all my life.

You have never been the kind of parent

that would show me the path and tell me what to do.

You would show me two paths or three or five and let me wander around.

At times I felt I was leading a life without direction.

But now I know I needed those years of feeling lost,

because when I finally decided on a path,

I knew it was what I wanted.

And then she said, Thank you, dad.

How does it feel to hear those words from your kids?

It warms my heart.

It's so gratifying.

And you know, my daughter Laya,

she's not a very open person when it comes to this to these things.

So when I saw her, what she had written, I really felt so good.

What's the best thing about having children?

It's the interaction for me.

It's seeing them grow up.

It's seeing how from, you know, a little seed

they become a big tree.

Every evening before they would go to sleep,

they'd always want to hear a story.

Of course, you'd pick up a book and read it.

At first, I would buy books.

I would read the books to them.

But after a while, I got bored.

I said, "All these stories seem to be so predictable."

So one evening, I came up with my own story.

A story about a tree...

People who lived there.

And they liked it.

So the next day they said,

"Dad, finish your story."

So for-

I cannot remember how long a period of time,

Every night I would make up the next chapter of the story.

What's the story's title?

It's about the tree and people.

It's a magical tree and people who would go there,

the events that happened to them.

There's a funny story about the tree I pictured in my mind-

several years later,

I came across a print from a magazine of a drawing of a tree.

I said, "That's exactly the tree in my story."

So I framed it.

What do you always tell your children?

To experience everything and live life to the fullest.

If I were to ask you, what do you stand for in life?

Wow, that's a very tough question.

I think I'd say that what I stand for is

what is approriate and what is right.

When you look at our language,

what word do we use for justice?

We use "katarungan."

But the root word of "katarungan" is a Visayan word.

"Tarung" is the root word of "katarungan" or justice.

And it really means "what's appropriate,

what's correct, what's upright."

So for us, doing what this justice is doing what's right.

If you look at our word for human rights, "karapatan,"

the root word is "dapat."

And it's the same.

Isn't it that the meaning or essence of the words of "tarung" and "dapat"

are synonymous?

What do you consider is important in life?

To me, what's important in life is

making sure that we respect our own and other people's basic dignity.

Sometimes, we forget about ourselves.

The "self-love" that they say, that's also important.

It must begin with how we look at ourselves.

What do you want people to remember you with?

To me, when I say, "I am Attorney Chel Diokno,"

I could say that I stood up for my principles

for my entire life, in my entire professional career.

And I will do so until the last breath that I make.

And to me, that would be a great achievement.

I would consider my life fulfilled

if that is how people would look at me.