De Leon, Anthony Nash O.

2014-0273
5
Civil Law Review II
Thursday/5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Report on Top 2 and Worst 2 Senatorial Candidates

TOP 2

Bhagat Singh is an Indian freedom fighter who died at 23, who fought for the
independence of India against the occupation of the British colonizers. He had wit,
bravery, and selflessness. And he raises his voice to stand up for injustice.

Like, Bhagat Singh, Chel Diokno possesses the same qualities that a leader should
have.

“Fight the fear by standing up,” he said. “Fight the fear by conquering it. Fight the
fear by accepting that the fear is there and doing what you have to do because you
know you have to do it. In that manner I think just as fear is contagious, that kind of
action I believe is also contagious and the more people will stand up and the less
people will be fearful.”

What Chel brings to the table is a profound understanding of the law, a deep
respect for democracy and a commitment to defend it at all costs. He is also
intent to reform the justice system and rid it of its many defects.

CHEL DIOKNO
Human Rights Lawyer – understandable due to his experience of hisfather being
incarcerated for no valid reason during Marcos’ regime.

Education:
He finished his secondary education at La Salle Green Hills. He finished his tertiary
education at University of the Philippines, taking up Philosophy. He finished Graduate
School at Northern Illinois University, finishing Juris Doctor of Laws, Magna Cum
Laude in 1986.

Career:
He is the chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the Philippines’ oldest
and largest group of human rights lawyers. He served on the Commission on Human
Rights under Presidents Cory Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos. He is a Member of the
Committee on Human Rights and Due Process at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
He was a prosecutor during the impeachment of former President Joseph Estrada. He
was the lead lawyer in various notable cases such as 1995 Kuratong Baleleng rubout
case, in the Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada whistleblow NBN/ZTE case, Raymondand Reynaldo
Manalo case, and the media case against President Arroyo. He was the General Counsel
of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee (Committee on Accountability of Public Officers
and Investigation) in 2001. And he is the founding dean of the De La Salle University
College of Law since 2009.

Platform:
Improve Justice System

Stand on National Issues:

In Favor of Term Limits
Against the lowering of the MACR
Against the Reimposition of Death Penalty
Against the Continuation of Oplan Tokhang
Against the Continuation of Martial Law in Mindanao
In Favor of legalization of Medical Marijuana
In favor of Anti-Discrimination (Same-sex marriage)
In favor of Divorce
Against Federalism
In favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law
Against the TRAIN Law
IN Favor the Anti-Political Dynasty Law
In Favor of Same-Sex Civil Union

Diokno has never held a government position.

Sources:
The Filipino Votes: How do the senatorial candidates stand on key issues?
http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/12/02/the-filipino-votes-senatorial-forum-yes-no.html

Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Faceoff.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/684428/debate-2019-the-gma-senatorial-faceoff-
replay-recap-summary-video-clips/story/

#TheLeaderIWant: Chel Diokno on legislation beyond human rights.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/215129-interview-chel-diokno-legislation-
beyond-human-rights

Arianne Merez, February 17, 2019. Harapan 2019: A ‘thorn’, a doctor, a crusader vs
stupidity among those vying for Senate seat. https://news.abs-
cbn.com/news/02/17/19/harapan-2019-a-thorn-a-doctor-a-crusader-vs-stupidity-among-those-vying-
for-senate-seat

https://peoplaid.com/2019/02/04/chel-diokno-biography/
Wilfredo G. Villanueva. November 7, 2018. Chel Diokno: He can’t Take It Anymore.
https://joeam.com/2018/11/07/he-cant-take-it-anymore/

Boying Pimentel. February 27, 2017. “Diokno: Fight the fear, sing our own song.”
https://usa.inquirer.net/1848/diokno-fight-the-fear-sing-our-own-song

India Today Web Desk. Setember 28, 2016, Remembering Bhagat Singh: 14 facts on the
revolutionary who ascended the gallows laughing. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-
today/gk-current-affairs/story/bhagat-singh-facts-343625-2016-09-28

“Leadership is about people, for people.” – John C. Maxwell

Colmenares embodies this quote.

He visited the fisherfolk who are having problems fishing in the West Philippine Sea
due to interference of the Chinese vessels when the Bureau of Fisheries told the farmers
to “steer clear of the area” and the President talking about his penis and manliness
when can’t show it through acts that would show he fights and cares for the rights of
the fisherfolk who earn their living from the West Philippine Sea. He went to the wake
of the 14 innocent farmers who were brutally killed in Negros Oriental.

NERI COLMENARES
Human Rights Lawyer, Constitutionalist, International Humanitarian Law
expert

Education:
He finished his secondary education at St. Joseph College. He finished his
tertiary education at San Beda College, taking up AB Economics. He finished Bachelor
of Laws at University of the Philippines in 1996, and studied but failed to complete his
Doctor of Laws with University of Melbourne.

Affiliations:
He is the Chairman of Makabayan, Bayan Muna, and the National Union of
People’s Lawyers. He is a Bureau Member of the International Association of
Democratic Lawyers. He is the Vice President of the Confederation of Lawyers in the
Asia-Pacific.

Work Experience:
He served as a Legal Officer for the National Amnesty Commission from 1996-
1999. He was a consultant for the Office of Rep. Satur Ocampo from 2004-2006. He was
a House Representative for the Bayan Muna Partylist from 2007-2013. And he was the
Senior Deputy Minority Leader of the Bayan Muna Partylist from 2013-2016.
 He has personally authored and passed 4 bills into law, namely, the Human
Rights Reparation and Recognition Act, Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance
Act, Anti-Torture Act, and the Increased Ceiling for Tax-Exempt Benefits.

Platform:
Raising the wages of workers, removal of excise tax on fuel, ban on all forms of
contractualization, increase of pensions and salaries, and the abolition of VAT on
electricity, water, and petroleum.

Stand on National Issues:

Against Death Penalty
In favor of Divorce
Against the Bangsamoro Organic Law
In favor of the legalization of Medical Marijuana
Against Federalism
Against the TRAIN Law
Against the lowering of the MACR
Against Joint Exploration of China and Philippines at the West Philippine Sea
In favor of the Anti-Political Dynasty Law
In favor of the Anti-Discrimination Bill
Against the Martial Law Extension in Mindanao

Second try as he landed on the 20th spot with over 6.4 million votes during the 2016
election.

Sources:
Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Faceoff.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/684428/debate-2019-the-gma-senatorial-faceoff-
replay-recap-summary-video-clips/story/

Dan Manglinong, October 11, 2018, “Why Neri Colmenares is running for Senate for
Second time.” http://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2018/10/11/135660/why-
neri-colmenares-running-for-senate-for-second-time/

Paolo Romero, January 15, 2012. Meet the House Panel.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/01/15/767638/meet-house-
panel?fbclid=IwAR2zLR-kLms24su4jGRZK8XYb3OsCHgq5sBn52-
CWcJj3zMpvUPc2rwTwd8

The University of Melbourne. https://law.unimelb.edu.au/centres/alc/about-alc/alc-

associates/associate-profiles/mr-neri-
colmenares?fbclid=IwAR2JvqPOlEBp1EH4CVxlQbYY6RyOIcOCM3ccs0NEKRLh_vaqJ
glRwB3CMwk

National Union of People’s Lawyers Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/nuplphilippines/posts/asia-pacific-lawyers-group-
formedrep-colmenares-elected-vp19-june-2016-
kathmandu/10153697734448683/?__tn__=-UK-R

Neri Colmenares Facebook Page

Neri Colmenares Para Sa Senado Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/NeriColmenaresParaSaSenado/photos/a.23080486658752
84/2485389881474494/?type=3&theater&__tn__=-UK-R

International Association of Democratic Lawyers. https://iadllaw.org/officers-and-

bureau-
members/?fbclid=IwAR2fECNEU_GlQjg8ts3cblVALPsOE8f3ZU4UMvAGsaL6QwcVm
V3z2haiURY

WORST 2
IMEE MARCOS

Education:
Finished Secondary Education at formerly Assumption Convent, American School
Makati (now known as International School Manila). She studied at Princeton
University and University of the Philippine College of Law, but did not finish her
studies there.

Affiliations:
She is the Director General of the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. She is a
Consultant/Writer for the Children’s Television Workshop for Asia. She is the
Chaiperson of Kabataang Barangay. She is the President of CREAM Content
Distribution, Inc.

She was an assemblywoman from 1984-1986 in Ilocos Norte. She was Congresswoman
of Ilocos Norte 2nd District from 1998-2007. And she is presently the governor of the
same province.

Imee Marcos says they are just political accusations

PCGG, Supreme Court – Statistics on Marcos cases (Last Updated November 9, 2018)
Summary of Remittances to the Government 1986 to December 31, 2017 Grand Total of
171,359,374,369.98

Agreed to settle, as they have been talking to Duterte to settle the matters and return the
amount.

Stand on National Issues:

In favor of Federalism
In Favor of Reimposition of Death Penalty
In Favor of Non-Discriimination
Confused at to Anti-Political Dynasty Bill
Against Term Limits
In favor of Lowering MACR
In favor of Continuation of Oplan Tokhang
Against the Continuation of Martial Law in Mindanao

Policy Focus:
VAT Reforms, Wider availability of Wi-Fi, lower prices of food

Sources:
Debate 2019: The GMA Senatorial Faceoff.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/684428/debate-2019-the-gma-senatorial-faceoff-
replay-recap-summary-video-clips/story/

https://web.archive.org/web/20051224170710/http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/cv/marcoscv.p
df
RAMON “BONG” REVILLA, JR.

Stand on National Issues:

In favor of Reimposition of Death Penalty

Sources:
https://opinion.inquirer.net/118034/not-guilty-but-return-the-money