Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno officially joined the 2019 senatorial race, as he filed on Tuesday his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila.
Diokno said he will push for improvement of the country’s justice system, including promotion of justice for the poor sector of society.
“Sa ating mahihirap, hindi po nila natitikman ang hustisya. Sa kanila po ang hustisya ay parang isang ilusyon lamang. Ang hustisya, ang katarungan ay para lamang sa may kaya at may kapangyarihan. Kailangan po magbago ‘yon,” Diokno said in a press briefing after filing his COC.
“Sa tingin ko, wala tayong ibang magagawa, wala tayong ibang solusyon sa nangyayari ngayon sa mga krimen, korupsyon kundi ayusin natin ang ating sistema ng katarungan,” he added.
Diokno, son of human rights defender and former Senator Jose “Pepe” Diokno, is the founding dean of De La Salle University College of Law.
In recent senatorial surveys, Diokno ranked far behind the top 12 Senate bets landing between 23rd and 24th. He said he is not bothered by it.
According to Diokno, it is normal for a candidate to be on the lower ranks of the survey since it is still too early.
“Talagang ganyan ‘yan, maaga pa eh. Siguro malalaman na lang natin ‘yan bandang January,” said Diokno, who is a candidate of opposition coalition Tindig Pilipinas.
Coincidentally, Diokno filed his COC about the same time as Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, daughter of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, filed her COC at the Comelec central office.
Diokno’s father fiercely fought the Marcos dictatorship.
Asked about the Ilocos governor’s senatorial bid, Diokno said: “Parang naulit lang ang kasaysayan noong ng tatay ko na ang katapat niya ay ang tatay niya. Ganun lang ‘yun. Ang sa akin lang, let’s bring it on. Let’s see what we have to do.”
The human rights lawyer said that if he and Imee would win the senatorial elections next year, he will deal with it the way he has dealt with other situations.
“I will deal it the way I have dealt with everything in my life: proper decorum and at the same time I will stand my ground and I will stand up for what is right,” he said. Faye Orellana, INQUIRER.net /kga