MANILA, Philippines — Human Rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno on Thursday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC), during the seventh day of the filing of COC.
Diokno finalized his senatorial bid at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel hotel in Pasay City after filing his COC.
According to Diokno, he aimed to make justice within the reach of everyone, promising to strengthen alternatives to court proceedings, arbitration, mediation and even the barangay justice system.
“Sisiguraduhin natin na may pananagutan dahil (we will make sure that someone will be held accountable because) it is my firm belief that it is the certainty of punishment that stops crime,” Diokno added.
Diokno, son of the late Senator Jose W. Diokno, dubbed the Father of Human Rights in the Philippines, first announced his senatorial bid on Sept. 15.
“Sana’y samahan niyo po ako patungo sa isang makatarungang Pilipinas, isang bansa na maayos ang kalusugan, na maayos ang kabuhayan natin at sapat ang pagkain para sa pamilya,” said Diokno.
(I hope you will accompany me towards a just Philippines, a country with good health, with good livelihood and enough food for the family.)
“Pero alam po ninyo para mangyari po ‘yan dapat may kagat ang hustisya, dapat may ngipin ang batas,” he added.
(But for that to happen, justice must have a bite, the law must have teeth.)
Since his announcement, several celebrities have expressed support for his candidacy — including Vice Ganda, Bianca Gonzales, Jason Abalos and Janine Gutierrez.
Diokno first ran for senator in 2019 under the opposition slate Otso Diretso, but failed to secure a seat in the so-called Magic 12.
He is also the current chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), and known to be staunchly critical of President Rodrigo Duterte’s human rights policies.